tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27215762545002151552024-03-13T11:48:34.469-07:00PROHAM PRESS RELEASESPersatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia ::
Society for the Promotion of Human RightsPROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-12278302382767624352019-02-18T01:42:00.001-08:002019-02-18T01:42:10.651-08:00Blog period 2011 & May 2018 period of PROHAM work only<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This blog has been discontinued. This blog covers PROHAM between 2011 and May 2018 period</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">For updates on PROHAM - Facebook: Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">OR </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Please email Ms Ivy Josiah, the Secretary General of Proham Email: ivyjosiah@gmail.com </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-49176938962029237812018-05-22T18:32:00.005-07:002018-05-22T18:32:57.752-07:00PROHAM WELCOMES KDN’S INSTITUTIONAL REFORM AGENDA – TOWARDS HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLIANCE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">PROHAM
welcomes the Home Minister’s commitment in agreeing to establish the
Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). PROHAM and
various other NGOs together with the Bar Council have been pushing for the
setting up of the IPCMC since its recommendation by the Royal Commission To
Enhance The Operation And Management Of The Royal Malaysian Police in 2005. The
setting up of such an oversight body will encourage integrity, deter
misconduct, restore accountability and enhance public confidence in policing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PROHAM
also welcomes the move by the Home Minister in agreeing to look into the
possibility of repealing the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984,
Sedition Act 1948, Prevention of Crime Act 1959 and also to review the
mandatory death sentence. The move by the Home Minister in agreeing to look at
all other legislations which violates the Rule of Law and fundamental Human
Rights is a fresh welcome indeed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PROHAM
also calls on the Government to repeal the National Security Council Act 2016
which was pushed through Parliament in haste. This Act also appears to subvert
the Constitutional role of the Yang DiPertuan Agong in “emergency” matters.
Despite the Conference of Rulers having directed the government of the day to
relook this Act, the Act nevertheless came into force on 1<sup>st</sup> August
2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally,
PROHAM also calls for the total rewrite of the National Human Rights Action
Plan as the one launched by the former Prime Minister in March 2018 falls short
of the current global Human Rights standard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chairman<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ivy Josiah <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Secretary General <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exco Member<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Society for the Promotion of Human Rights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May 23, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-46210005207402010982018-05-22T18:30:00.003-07:002018-05-22T18:30:40.554-07:00CSO ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION (RTD) ON THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The RTD was hosted by
PROHAM on April 8, 2018 and attended by 21 people from various CSO/NGOs. The
RTD was moderated by Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria with four panellist:-
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari (PROHAM), Mr Andrew Khoo (Bar Council), Mr Wan
Kassim (SUHAKAM) and Mr Edmund Bon (AICHR). Mr Jerald Joseph, the current SUHAKAM
Commissioner along with former SUHAKAM Commissioners, Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah, and
Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah and PROHAM members Datuk Vaithilingam and Dr Lin Mui
Kiang were also in participation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BACKGROUND
INFORMATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the RTD the following
background information was noted:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, the Cabinet agreed
to formulate the NHRAP on Oct 12, 2012. However it was pointed out that SUHAKAM
had recommended this in 2001 and that this was a recommendation arising from
the Universal Periodical Review (UPR) in 2009 and again in 2013. The formulation
of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) is mandated by the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action (1993).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second, the Prime
Minister launched the NHRAP on March 1, 2018. Only the NHRAP plan was released without
the baseline study and/or the details of the people involved. No Human Rights
CSO/NGO who are actively engaged in the UPR, AICHR and/or active in human
rights work and/or the UN Country Team in Malaysia were invited except SUHAKAM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Third, only a Bahasa
Malaysia version of the NHRAP was released. To date, no English translation has
been released despite this being one major aspect of the UPR compliance in
preparation for the November 2018 UPR.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fourth, that a consultant
was appointed by the Government namely Hazizah & Co to undertake the
baseline study and prepare the NHRAP. The process took over five years; from October
2012 to March 2018. No reasons were given as to why this law firm was chosen,
what criteria was used nor how much was paid for this purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fifth, the NHRAP states
that it followed the guidelines of the UN Handbook on NHRAP. It also notes that
the plans used the Federal Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR) and the Cairo Declaration as its reference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">MAJOR
CONCERNS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major issues and concerns
were highlighted during the discussion which is listed here:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Guiding
principles for formulation of NHRAP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, while the NHRAP
states that it used the UN Handbook on NHRAP as its guiding principle, we note
that the consultants have used it selectively. We note that that there is very
weak compliance to three major principles namely:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Process & Outcome. This is with
regards to the guideline that “a national action plan is both an outcome and a
process, each equally important” (pg13 UN Handbook)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Commitment to universal human rights
standards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Implementing International human rights
obligations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition the Handbook
makes specific reference to the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI)
and civil society especially Human Rights NGOs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In all the above five
pointers, the Malaysian NHRAP as per the document released to the public on
March 1, 2018, has very weak compliance to the global standard of Human Rights
and to the UN Handbook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Diversity
& Expertise <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second, using the
benchmark of the process, one can see major issues pertaining to the
appointment of the Consultants, members of the main committee (JK Pemandu)
which oversees the formulation of the NHRAP, and the five technical committees.
In all these, there is no transparency as to the basis on which they were
appointed nor the disclosure of any of the names other than the name of the
legal firm. It is also very clear that no active human rights CSO or NGO or any
human rights experts namely academics or human rights commissioners or former
human rights commissioners were involved in the formulation of the NHRAP. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the consultation
process, the report does indicate that 39 ministries, 48 NGOs and 36 individual
experts were consulted but there is no disclosure of any names or their
background expertise. This non disclosure does not give credibility to the
report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the appointment of the
consultants and the consulting team; there is no explanation of their expertise
in human rights matters. The consulting legal firm’s website gives names but no
write up of their human rights expertise. None of them have been active at the
local, national, regional or global human rights work in the past. This raises
serious questions to the credibility of the report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the case of
appointment of an individual to SUHAKAM there is a clear policy of indicating
both diversity and expertise as stated in the SUHAKAM Act Section 5 (3) namely
“from among men and women of various religious, political and racial background
who have knowledge or practical experiences in human rights matters”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In all appointments in
the past as consultants or as members to committees, the Federal Government has
applied the principle of diversity as well as experience and competencies. This
was the case for the National Economic Consultative Council (NECC), the
National Economic Action Council (NEAC), the Royal Police Commission and the
National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC). However in the formulation of the
NHRAP, the Federal government has narrowed the consulting team and other major
committees to mono-ethnic and mono-religious group with very little expertise or
experience in human rights matters. This raises major credibility concerns on
the process and outcome of the NHRAP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Universal
Human rights for all<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Third, on the matter of
universal dimension and applicability of human rights for all, there is a brief
reference to the clash between universality and cultural relativism. There
seems to be a confusion as to the use of the English word ‘Universal’ which
means applicable to all irrespective to religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age,
disability, socio-economic status. Universal does not mean or refer to ‘universalism’.
This is more of an ideological position. In the UDHR, universal is more to the
application to all groups and not any ideological position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The paragraph of major
concern is the one found on page 13 of the NHRAP which reads <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“UDHR tidak sepatutnya dijadikan satu-satu
rujukan untuk memahami hak assasi manusia di dunia. Sebaliknya,
instrument-instrumen lain khususnya CDHRI juga perlu dijadikan rujukan primer
oleh negara-negara Islam”</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is problematic as
the UDHR is the UN Charter description of human rights which is a global
benchmark. This is the reference point for a global standard. All other
regional documents including the CDHRI is judged on this global standard. The
Malaysian NHRAP clearly undermines the universal and global standard. One is
surprised at how the Malaysian government which has been part of UN since 1957
and has been a member of the UN Security Council and also the Human Rights
Council makes such a blatant statement to indicate that UDHR will not be the
reference point. This is totally unacceptable from a human rights stand point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One area on this matter
which is totally omitted by the NHRAP is the reference to the SUHAKAM Act which
clearly makes a reference to the UDHR. The Act states in Section 4 (4) relating
to function and purpose of the Commission <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“for
the purpose of this Act, regard shall be had to the UDHR 1948 to the extent
that it is not inconsistent with the Federal Constitution”.</i> However how was
this missed in the NHRAP when another part of the SUHAKAM Act was specifically
referred to in the report namely “Human Rights refer to fundamental liberties
as enshrined in Part II of the Federal Constitution” at page 10 of the report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the NHRAP there are a
number of factual errors on page 11. This could be cited as another example of
downplaying the UDHR. Reference is made to the UN in 1948 when the General
assembly adopted the UDHR. The NHRAP indicated that only 48 of the 88 countries
voted in favour. However the real figures are in 1948 there were only 58
members. 48 voted in favour of UDHR including 10 Muslim majority countries. 8
countries abstained. 7 of these were from the Soviet Union. The other was Saudi
Arabia. Two other countries were absent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Furthermore on page 11 of
the NHRAP, reference is made to the UDHR and in particular, Article 9, 13, 16,
20, 21, 23, 25 and 26. However, absent is the reference to Article 1 & 2 of
the UDHR which is universality of equality for all namely in Article 1 that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“all human being are born free and equal in
dignity and rights”</i> and in Article 2 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“everyone
is entitled to all the rights and freedoms”</i>. This is the universal aspect
of human rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is also important to
note that there is no comparative table to show how UDHR differs from the Cairo
Declaration or how similar they are. Nevertheless, a majority of Muslim nations
and Muslim majority States have ratified many of the UN conventions. There is
no discussion on the compliance of other Islamic States such as Indonesia to
universal standards. However what the NHRAP does state in reference to the CDHRI
is its compliance and adherence to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Syariah
Islam”</i> and also to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ajaran Islam yang
bersumberkan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah”</i>(NHRAP pg 12). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In this context we must
state that based on the Federal Constitution this is an acceptable reference but
it is only limited to the Muslim community and hence not relevant or applicable
to Malaysians of Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Christian believes including the
natives of Sabah and Sarawak who are Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another aspect in this
context is the frequent reference to the term “acuan Malaysia” or Malaysian
mould or model. A paragraph on page 13 which describes this: - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dalam
konteks negaara Malaysia, isu-isu hak asasi manusia khususnya yang berkaitan
dengan peranan agama, etika dan budaya perlu ditanggapi secara selari dengan
tuntutan agama Islam dan perlembagaan negara. Jika tidak, ia akan menghakis
kehidupan beragama dan mengundang keruntuhan moral dan akhlak dalam kalangan
masyarakat”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This paragraph
contradicts not just the UDHR but also the Federal Constitution. It blatantly
ignores the diverse ethics, cultures, and religious aspects of the Malaysian
community and only makes reference to Islam. The conclusion as to noncompliance
is illogical, and is unislamic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can have some features
of the Malaysian experience which enriches the global human rights standard but
ours cannot be one which deprives or denies human rights of others using a
cultural or religious indicator or value. The UDHR, the various declarations
and conventions are set on global standards which is applicable to all
communities (ethnic, religious, socio-economic etc). If there are specific
reservations then a country could indicate that but not as proposed in the
NHRAP which blatantly narrows the human rights standard. In fact, the statement
in the NHRAP could be seen as a violation of human rights at the global level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Concern is raised with
the numerous references to the Syariah courts instead of the Civil Courts and
human rights concerns in the NHRAP. While there is agreement to the specific
role of the Syariah courts as per the Federal Constitution, there seems to be
an expansion of the Syariah court’s role in the action plan, which is ultra
vires the Federal Constitution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For example on page 33 of
the NHRAP on the matter of strengthening ethnic and religious concerns, an
issue identified and in the section on objectives to be achieved, it is
proposed that all people receive justice via the Syariah courts. This is
currently the major controversy between a non-Muslim and a Muslim, in the case
of death or in the case of child custody. However on page 61 which is the
specific long term action (5 to 10 years) reference is now made to a special
committee or mechanism to monitor under the Department of National Unity &
Integration and also under the Prime Minister’s department. It is sad to note
that the formulation of the NHRAP has pushed the most urgent inter-religious concern
into a long term action. Furthermore it does not seem to make any reference to
major recommendations which the Cabinet had reviewed on this matter nor any
reference to the Constitutional position on the role of the Civil court which
is the Constitutional court to address this matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">International
Human Rights Obligations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fourth, is the commitment
to universal human rights standards which is a key guideline in the UN Handbook.
The NHRAP does not explain the UN system of declarations and conventions.
Conventions and Treaties, once ratified, is a legally binding commitment. In
the case of Malaysia’s ratification of CEDAW, CRC and CRPD, the NHRAP does not
adequately discuss the challenges Malaysia is facing in the reporting process,
the delays and the capacity issues faced by the agencies in meeting
international compliance and standards. The recent CEDAW review at Geneva
reveals how unprepared the Malaysian team was during the Q & A session.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the drafting of
the NHRAP took about five years, there is no indication in the report over the
matters discussed. Neither are reasons provided as to why Malaysia needs another
five to ten years to consider the ratification of ICESCR, ICCPR, ICERD and CAT.
(NHRAP pg 135 and 136)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On ICERD, the Department
of National Unity and Integration had already commissioned a study and this
matter was also discussed at the NUCC discussions. Malaysia is among only 14
countries which has not ratified this convention on the elimination of racial
discrimination. 179 countries with a majority of OIC and ASEAN countries have
ratified ICERD. Even Singapore has done so. Why is Malaysia unable to do so
when we claim the ‘1Malaysia’ slogan and that ‘we are truly Asia’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All these International
conventions have been listed in the long term discussion without any clear
description of why we are unable to ratify them after a 5 year NHRAP study and
review. Why have we failed to ratify the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR)?. Based on the Eleventh Malaysian Plan (2016 – 2020) our
commitment to inclusive development and our acceptance of SDGs in New York in
September 2015 with the commitment to ensure that “no one is left behind”, is
completely at odds with our clear reluctance to ratify the ICESCR.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the rights of
indigenous people, there is no reference to the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous
People (UNDRIP) which Malaysia accepted. Malaysia was among 143 countries which
voted in favour on September 13, 2007. This is a landmark declaration and the
NHRAP should use this as the human rights framework to address the human rights
violation faced by the Orang Asli community as well as among the natives of
Sabah and Sarawak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">National
Human Rights Institution (NHRI)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fifth, in the UN Handbook
there is reference made to NHRI as public defenders or public protectors. While
it was SUHAKAM who made the first recommendation in 2001 for a NHRAP and subsequently,
it has made many recommendations to the Consultants and the various committee, however
there is no mention of SUHAKAM nor its role in the NHRAP- not even in the future
work of human rights promotion and protection. In fact the Prime Minister’s
announcement of a high level committee set up by the government with no legal
power is a very weak human rights oversight body or even one to monitor the
implementation of the NHRAP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The NHRAP has down played
the role of SUHAKAM by not devoting a major section to promoting human rights
as provided for in the SUHAKAM Act. Furthermore, the NHRAP consultants have not
used the SUHAKAM’s enquiry reports and recommendations as a major benchmark for
the human rights action. The matter pertaining to the lack of compliance to the
human rights violations and neglect by different agencies has not been analysed
or indicated in the NHRAP. There are numerous enquiry reports on human rights
violations by Police on brutality, death in custody as well as on violations
pertaining to freedom of assembly. There are reports on land related matters
and violations by State government and private companies. These could have been
the basis of much of the recommendations for further action and compliance by
the relevant agencies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no discussion on
the strengthening of SUHAKAM’s powers and roles especially getting the
parliament to debate and discuss the SUHAKAM annual report and other enquiry
findings. There is no reference to the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee
to review agency compliance to the recommendations for improvement of the human
rights culture, standards, compliance and punishment of the violators from
within the government civil service. It is the holding of the institutions of
the government accountable to human rights standards and practice which is most
critical. The NHRAP missed this point that one of the major violators of human
rights are some sections of the administration especially the enforcement side
of government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Civil
Society Engagement<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sixth, there is a
specific reference in the UN NHRAP Handbook to civil society and Human Rights
NGOs and their role in “contemporary public policy-making” including the
“development and implementation of a national action plan”. As mentioned
earlier there was no CSO representative in any of the major committees
established. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Malaysia was among 117
countries which adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders on November
25, 2015. There is no reference to this in the NHRAP. This is a very
significant declaration which articulates the roles and duties, not just of
human rights defenders, but also the State towards human rights defenders.
Malaysia voted in favour and therefore the NHRAP must chart out how this will
be operational in the Malaysian context.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CSOs and Human Rights
NGOs representative should have been invited to be part of the consulting team,
members of the main oversight committee and members of the technical
committees. In the past, on all major policies, this has been done. One good
example is in the current SDGs; both in the preparation of the Voluntary
National Review and the formulation of the SDG National Roadmap where CSOs are
partners in the development process led by the Economic Planning Unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, in the NHRAP
process, the CSOs were merely invited to provide input and not play a major
role in the formulation of the NHRAP. This approach falls short as CSOs and
Human Rights NGOs were not regarded as partners in the development of the
NHRAP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RECOMMENDATIONS
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was strongly felt by
participants at the CSO discussion held on April 8, 2018 that because the NHRAP
was not formulated on the foundations of the UDHR and UN international
standards, it is proposed that the Federal Government withdraws the NHRAP. It
was also noted by some of the participants that we were in such an unacceptable
situation because the consulting team and people involved were not ones with
human rights expertise or experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is therefore proposed
that the Federal Government establishes a new consultative process with all stakeholders
- government agencies, civil society, academia and private sector to
reformulate the NHRAP consistent with the UN Handbook on NHRAP. SUHAKAM the
legally constituted body should not only lead this process but also serve as
its secretariat. Persons and groups appointed to coordinate this process must
be men and women from diverse religious and ethnic communities with expertise
and experience in human rights work. This must be done before the November 2018
UPR review. It is also recommended that any further work on the NHRAP must be
released in both Bahasa Malaysia and the English language as this document is
also to be read by the global community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Report
written by Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">EXCO
Member, PROHAM & Principal Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnic Studies
(KITA), UKM and a former Human Rights Commissioner (2006-2010)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April
17, 2018</span></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-36509128525024721082018-05-22T18:25:00.001-07:002018-05-22T18:25:20.322-07:00PROHAM CALLS FOR A TOTAL REWRITE OF THE National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">
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<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">To ensure that
it is consistent with global human rights standards. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8pt; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Further, PROHAM calls on
political parties in GE14 to declare their commitment to human rights.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">PROHAM is greatly
disappointed in the Malaysian government for its lacklustre commitment to Human
Rights as reflected in its formulation of the National Human Rights Action Plan
(NHRAP) as mandated by the Vienna Convention and subsequently suggested by
SUHAKAM in 2001 and also recommended by the Universal Periodical Review (UPR)
in 2009 and 2013. Despite taking over five years to draw up, the NHRAP as
currently formulated falls short of the current global human rights standard
due to but obviously not limited to the following reasons:-</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">First, the
statement in the NHRAP “UDHR tidak sepatutnya dijadikan satu-satu rujukan untuk
memahami hak assasi manusia di dunia. Sebaliknya, instrument-instrumen lain
khususnya CDHRI (<i>Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam</i>) juga perlu
dijadikan rujukan primer oleh negara-negara Islam” is a clear attempt to down
play the universality of Human Rights but barely justified with a brief
reference to universality verses cultural relativism.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">The foundations of
the global position on human rights is the UN Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR). All member states accept this as it is now part of the UN
Charter and the foundation upon which all other human rights declarations and
conventions are built upon such as the Convention on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR), the Convention on Economic and Social Rights (ICESCR), the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Of which the latter three have
been ratified by Malaysia.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Second, while the
NHRAP states that it is consistent with the Federal Constitution, it has however
to a certain extent limited its application to Syariah law and the Syariah
courts; which as per the Federal Constitution is a matter for each State and
only applicable to Muslims only.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">The term universal
in the human rights language is applicable to all, irrespective of religion,
ethnicity or race or gender. Therefore, human rights law is for all and not for
one religious community. In the Malaysian context these laws must be consistent
with the Federal Constitution.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Third, in the
action plan we note that the ratification of UN conventions such as ICCPR,
ICESCR, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (ICERD), and the Convention Against Torture (CAT) are all listed
under long term measures taking between five to ten years. The formulation of
NHRAP took over 5 years and hence, these Conventions ought to have been
studied, reviewed and recommended for ratification. They ought not to be listed
under long term measures especially since the ratification of these UN conventions
were already recommended by the UN community in 2009 and 2013 UPR process.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">PROHAM therefore
concludes that the NHRAP has downplayed Malaysian’s standing in the global
community on human rights matters with a very weak political commitment to UN
global human rights standards. This is an unfortunate position after being in
the United Nations since 1957 as a member and also having been a member of the
Human Rights Council and Security Council.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Therefore, PROHAM
calls on the post GE14 Government to withdraw the NHRAP as currently formulated
and constitute a new body together with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
(SUHAKAM) to rewrite the NHRAP to one which is consistent with the UN Handbook
on NHRAP and the Federal Constitution, before the November 2018 UPR in the
Human Rights Council in Geneva.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">PROHAM also calls
on all political parties and candidates in GE14 to make a commitment to global
human rights standards based on the Federal Constitution and the UDHR.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Issued on behalf of
PROHAM by:-</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Datuk Kuthubul
Zaman Bukhari (Chairman, PROHAM) & Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (EXCO
member, PROHAM)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Society for the Promotion of Human Rights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia
(PROHAM) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">April 15, 2018</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">( NOTE: PROHAM hosted a CSO discussion on the NHRAP
on April 8, 2018. The findings of that discussion is hereby issued as a
separate write up along with this press release).</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-4564756983755145972018-04-16T19:15:00.001-07:002018-04-17T07:29:10.968-07:00CSO ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION (RTD) ON THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The RTD was hosted by
PROHAM on April 8, 2018 and attended by 21 people from various CSO/NGOs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The
RTD was moderated by Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria with four panellist:-
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari (PROHAM), Mr Andrew Khoo (Bar Council), Mr Wan
Kassim (SUHAKAM) and Mr Edmund Bon (AICHR). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Mr Jerald Joseph, the current SUHAKAM
Commissioner along with former SUHAKAM Commissioners, Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah, and
Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah and PROHAM members Datuk Vaithilingam and Dr Lin Mui
Kiang were also in participation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BACKGROUND
INFORMATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the RTD the following
background information was noted:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, the Cabinet agreed
to formulate the NHRAP on Oct 12, 2012. However it was pointed out that SUHAKAM
had recommended this in 2001 and that this was a recommendation arising from
the Universal Periodical Review (UPR) in 2009 and again in 2013. The formulation
of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) is mandated by the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of Action (1993).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second, the Prime
Minister launched the NHRAP on March 1, 2018. Only the NHRAP plan was released without
the baseline study and/or the details of the people involved. No Human Rights
CSO/NGO who are actively engaged in the UPR, AICHR and/or active in human
rights work and/or the UN Country Team in Malaysia were invited except SUHAKAM.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Third, only a Bahasa
Malaysia version of the NHRAP was released. To date, no English translation has
been released despite this being one major aspect of the UPR compliance in
preparation for the November 2018 UPR.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fourth, that a consultant
was appointed by the Government namely Hazizah & Co to undertake the
baseline study and prepare the NHRAP. The process took over five years; from October
2012 to March 2018. No reasons were given as to why this law firm was chosen,
what criteria was used nor how much was paid for this purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fifth, the NHRAP states
that it followed the guidelines of the UN Handbook on NHRAP. It also notes that
the plans used the Federal Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR) and the Cairo Declaration as its reference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">MAJOR
CONCERNS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Major issues and concerns
were highlighted during the discussion which is listed here:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Guiding
principles for formulation of NHRAP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, while the NHRAP
states that it used the UN Handbook on NHRAP as its guiding principle, we note
that the consultants have used it selectively. We note that that there is very
weak compliance to three major principles namely:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Process & Outcome. This is with
regards to the guideline that “a national action plan is both an outcome and a
process, each equally important” (pg13 UN Handbook)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Commitment to universal human rights
standards<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Implementing International human rights
obligations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In addition the Handbook
makes specific reference to the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI)
and civil society especially Human Rights NGOs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In all the above five
pointers, the Malaysian NHRAP as per the document released to the public on
March 1, 2018, has very weak compliance to the global standard of Human Rights
and to the UN Handbook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Diversity
& Expertise <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second, using the
benchmark of the process, one can see major issues pertaining to the
appointment of the Consultants, members of the main committee (JK Pemandu)
which oversees the formulation of the NHRAP, and the five technical committees.
In all these, there is no transparency as to the basis on which they were
appointed nor the disclosure of any of the names other than the name of the
legal firm. It is also very clear that no active human rights CSO or NGO or any
human rights experts namely academics or human rights commissioners or former
human rights commissioners were involved in the formulation of the NHRAP. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the consultation
process, the report does indicate that 39 ministries, 48 NGOs and 36 individual
experts were consulted but there is no disclosure of any names or their
background expertise. This non disclosure does not give credibility to the
report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the appointment of the
consultants and the consulting team; there is no explanation of their expertise
in human rights matters. The consulting legal firm’s website gives names but no
write up of their human rights expertise. None of them have been active at the
local, national, regional or global human rights work in the past. This raises
serious questions to the credibility of the report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the case of
appointment of an individual to SUHAKAM there is a clear policy of indicating
both diversity and expertise as stated in the SUHAKAM Act Section 5 (3) namely
“from among men and women of various religious, political and racial background
who have knowledge or practical experiences in human rights matters”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In all appointments in
the past as consultants or as members to committees, the Federal Government has
applied the principle of diversity as well as experience and competencies. This
was the case for the National Economic Consultative Council (NECC), the National
Economic Action Council (NEAC), the Royal Police Commission and the National
Unity Consultative Council (NUCC). However in the formulation of the NHRAP, the
Federal government has narrowed the consulting team and other major committees
to mono-ethnic and mono-religious group with very little expertise or experience
in human rights matters. This raises major credibility concerns on the process
and outcome of the NHRAP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Universal
Human rights for all<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Third, on the matter of
universal dimension and applicability of human rights for all, there is a brief
reference to the clash between universality and cultural relativism. There
seems to be a confusion as to the use of the English word ‘Universal’ which
means applicable to all irrespective to religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age,
disability, socio-economic status. Universal does not mean or refer to ‘universalism’.
This is more of an ideological position. In the UDHR, universal is more to the
application to all groups and not any ideological position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The paragraph of major
concern is the one found on page 13 of the NHRAP which reads <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“UDHR tidak sepatutnya dijadikan satu-satu
rujukan untuk memahami hak assasi manusia di dunia. Sebaliknya,
instrument-instrumen lain khususnya CDHRI juga perlu dijadikan rujukan primer
oleh negara-negara Islam”</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is problematic as
the UDHR is the UN Charter description of human rights which is a global
benchmark. This is the reference point for a global standard. All other
regional documents including the CDHRI is judged on this global standard. The
Malaysian NHRAP clearly undermines the universal and global standard. One is
surprised at how the Malaysian government which has been part of UN since 1957
and has been a member of the UN Security Council and also the Human Rights
Council makes such a blatant statement to indicate that UDHR will not be the
reference point. This is totally unacceptable from a human rights stand point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">One area on this matter
which is totally omitted by the NHRAP is the reference to the SUHAKAM Act which
clearly makes a reference to the UDHR. The Act states in Section 4 (4) relating
to function and purpose of the Commission <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“for
the purpose of this Act, regard shall be had to the UDHR 1948 to the extent
that it is not inconsistent with the Federal Constitution”.</i> However how was
this missed in the NHRAP when another part of the SUHAKAM Act was specifically
referred to in the report namely “Human Rights refer to fundamental liberties
as enshrined in Part II of the Federal Constitution” at page 10 of the report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the NHRAP there are a
number of factual errors on page 11. This could be cited as another example of
downplaying the UDHR. Reference is made to the UN in 1948 when the General
assembly adopted the UDHR. The NHRAP indicated that only 48 of the 88 countries
voted in favour. However the real figures are in 1948 there were only 58
members. 48 voted in favour of UDHR including 10 Muslim majority countries. 8
countries abstained. 7 of these were from the Soviet Union. The other was Saudi
Arabia. Two other countries were absent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Furthermore on page 11 of
the NHRAP, reference is made to the UDHR and in particular, Article 9, 13, 16,
20, 21, 23, 25 and 26. However, absent is the reference to Article 1 & 2 of
the UDHR which is universality of equality for all namely in Article 1 that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“all human being are born free and equal in
dignity and rights”</i> and in Article 2 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“everyone
is entitled to all the rights and freedoms”</i>. This is the universal aspect
of human rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is also important to
note that there is no comparative table to show how UDHR differs from the Cairo
Declaration or how similar they are. Nevertheless, a majority of Muslim nations
and Muslim majority States have ratified many of the UN conventions. There is
no discussion on the compliance of other Islamic States such as Indonesia to
universal standards. However what the NHRAP does state in reference to the CDHRI
is its compliance and adherence to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Syariah
Islam”</i> and also to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ajaran Islam yang
bersumberkan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah”</i>(NHRAP pg 12). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In this context we must
state that based on the Federal Constitution this is an acceptable reference but
it is only limited to the Muslim community and hence not relevant or applicable
to Malaysians of Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Christian believes including the
natives of Sabah and Sarawak who are Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another aspect in this
context is the frequent reference to the term “acuan Malaysia” or Malaysian
mould or model. A paragraph on page 13 which describes this: - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dalam
konteks negaara Malaysia, isu-isu hak asasi manusia khususnya yang berkaitan
dengan peranan agama, etika dan budaya perlu ditanggapi secara selari dengan
tuntutan agama Islam dan perlembagaan negara. Jika tidak, ia akan menghakis
kehidupan beragama dan mengundang keruntuhan moral dan akhlak dalam kalangan
masyarakat”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This paragraph
contradicts not just the UDHR but also the Federal Constitution. It blatantly
ignores the diverse ethics, cultures, and religious aspects of the Malaysian
community and only makes reference to Islam. The conclusion as to noncompliance
is illogical, and is unislamic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We can have some features
of the Malaysian experience which enriches the global human rights standard but
ours cannot be one which deprives or denies human rights of others using a
cultural or religious indicator or value. The UDHR, the various declarations
and conventions are set on global standards which is applicable to all
communities (ethnic, religious, socio-economic etc). If there are specific
reservations then a country could indicate that but not as proposed in the
NHRAP which blatantly narrows the human rights standard. In fact, the statement
in the NHRAP could be seen as a violation of human rights at the global level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Concern is raised with
the numerous references to the Syariah courts instead of the Civil Courts and
human rights concerns in the NHRAP. While there is agreement to the specific
role of the Syariah courts as per the Federal Constitution, there seems to be
an expansion of the Syariah court’s role in the action plan, which is ultra
vires the Federal Constitution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For example on page 33 of
the NHRAP on the matter of strengthening ethnic and religious concerns, an
issue identified and in the section on objectives to be achieved, it is
proposed that all people receive justice via the Syariah courts. This is
currently the major controversy between a non-Muslim and a Muslim, in the case
of death or in the case of child custody. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However on page 61 which is the
specific long term action (5 to 10 years) reference is now made to a special
committee or mechanism to monitor under the Department of National Unity &
Integration and also under the Prime Minister’s department. It is sad to note
that the formulation of the NHRAP has pushed the most urgent inter-religious concern
into a long term action. Furthermore it does not seem to make any reference to
major recommendations which the Cabinet had reviewed on this matter nor any
reference to the Constitutional position on the role of the Civil court which
is the Constitutional court to address this matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">International
Human Rights Obligations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fourth, is the commitment
to universal human rights standards which is a key guideline in the UN Handbook.
The NHRAP does not explain the UN system of declarations and conventions.
Conventions and Treaties, once ratified, is a legally binding commitment. In
the case of Malaysia’s ratification of CEDAW, CRC and CRPD, the NHRAP does not
adequately discuss the challenges Malaysia is facing in the reporting process,
the delays and the capacity issues faced by the agencies in meeting
international compliance and standards. The recent CEDAW review at Geneva
reveals how unprepared the Malaysian team was during the Q & A session.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Although the drafting of
the NHRAP took about five years, there is no indication in the report over the
matters discussed. Neither are reasons provided as to why Malaysia needs
another five to ten years to consider the ratification of ICESCR, ICCPR, ICERD
and CAT. (NHRAP pg 135 and 136)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On ICERD, the Department
of National Unity and Integration had already commissioned a study and this
matter was also discussed at the NUCC discussions. Malaysia is among only 14
countries which has not ratified this convention on the elimination of racial
discrimination. 179 countries with a majority of OIC and ASEAN countries have
ratified ICERD. Even Singapore has done so. Why is Malaysia unable to do so
when we claim the ‘1Malaysia’ slogan and that ‘we are truly Asia’?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All these International
conventions have been listed in the long term discussion without any clear
description of why we are unable to ratify them after a 5 year NHRAP study and
review. Why have we failed to ratify the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR)?. Based on the Eleventh Malaysian Plan (2016 – 2020) our
commitment to inclusive development and our acceptance of SDGs in New York in
September 2015 with the commitment to ensure that “no one is left behind”, is
completely at odds with our clear reluctance to ratify the ICESCR.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the rights of
indigenous people, there is no reference to the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous
People (UNDRIP) which Malaysia accepted. Malaysia was among 143 countries which
voted in favour on September 13, 2007. This is a landmark declaration and the
NHRAP should use this as the human rights framework to address the human rights
violation faced by the Orang Asli community as well as among the natives of
Sabah and Sarawak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">National
Human Rights Institution (NHRI)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fifth, in the UN Handbook
there is reference made to NHRI as public defenders or public protectors. While
it was SUHAKAM who made the first recommendation in 2001 for a NHRAP and subsequently,
it has made many recommendations to the Consultants and the various committee, however
there is no mention of SUHAKAM nor its role in the NHRAP- not even in the
future work of human rights promotion and protection. In fact the Prime
Minister’s announcement of a high level committee set up by the government with
no legal power is a very weak human rights oversight body or even one to
monitor the implementation of the NHRAP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The NHRAP has down played
the role of SUHAKAM by not devoting a major section to promoting human rights
as provided for in the SUHAKAM Act. Furthermore, the NHRAP consultants have not
used the SUHAKAM’s enquiry reports and recommendations as a major benchmark for
the human rights action. The matter pertaining to the lack of compliance to the
human rights violations and neglect by different agencies has not been analysed
or indicated in the NHRAP. There are numerous enquiry reports on human rights
violations by Police on brutality, death in custody as well as on violations pertaining
to freedom of assembly. There are reports on land related matters and
violations by State government and private companies. These could have been the
basis of much of the recommendations for further action and compliance by the
relevant agencies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is no discussion on
the strengthening of SUHAKAM’s powers and roles especially getting the
parliament to debate and discuss the SUHAKAM annual report and other enquiry
findings. There is no reference to the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee
to review agency compliance to the recommendations for improvement of the human
rights culture, standards, compliance and punishment of the violators from
within the government civil service. It is the holding of the institutions of
the government accountable to human rights standards and practice which is most
critical. The NHRAP missed this point that one of the major violators of human
rights are some sections of the administration especially the enforcement side
of government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Civil
Society Engagement<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sixth, there is a
specific reference in the UN NHRAP Handbook to civil society and Human Rights
NGOs and their role in “contemporary public policy-making” including the
“development and implementation of a national action plan”. As mentioned earlier
there was no CSO representative in any of the major committees established. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Malaysia was among 117
countries which adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders on November
25, 2015. There is no reference to this in the NHRAP. This is a very significant
declaration which articulates the roles and duties, not just of human rights
defenders, but also the State towards human rights defenders. Malaysia voted in
favour and therefore the NHRAP must chart out how this will be operational in
the Malaysian context.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CSOs and Human Rights
NGOs representative should have been invited to be part of the consulting team,
members of the main oversight committee and members of the technical
committees. In the past, on all major policies, this has been done. One good
example is in the current SDGs; both in the preparation of the Voluntary
National Review and the formulation of the SDG National Roadmap where CSOs are
partners in the development process led by the Economic Planning Unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">However, in the NHRAP
process, the CSOs were merely invited to provide input and not play a major
role in the formulation of the NHRAP. This approach falls short as CSOs and
Human Rights NGOs were not regarded as partners in the development of the
NHRAP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RECOMMENDATIONS
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was strongly felt by
participants at the CSO discussion held on April 8, 2018 that because the NHRAP
was not formulated on the foundations of the UDHR and UN international
standards, it is proposed that the Federal Government withdraws the NHRAP. It
was also noted by some of the participants that we were in such an unacceptable
situation because the consulting team and people involved were not ones with
human rights expertise or experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is therefore proposed
that the Federal Government establishes a new consultative process with all stakeholders
- government agencies, civil society, academia and private sector to
reformulate the NHRAP consistent with the UN Handbook on NHRAP. SUHAKAM the
legally constituted body should not only lead this process but also serve as
its secretariat. Persons and groups appointed to coordinate this process must
be men and women from diverse religious and ethnic communities with expertise
and experience in human rights work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This must be done before the November 2018
UPR review. It is also recommended that any further work on the NHRAP must be
released in both Bahasa Malaysia and the English language as this document is
also to be read by the global community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Report
written by Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">EXCO
Member, PROHAM & Principal Research Fellow, Institute of Ethnic Studies
(KITA), UKM and a former Human Rights Commissioner (2006-2010)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">April
17, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-41529716223426236902018-04-16T18:56:00.003-07:002018-04-16T18:56:57.649-07:00PROHAM CALLS FOR A TOTAL REWRITE OF THE National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"> - To ensure that
it is consistent with global human rights standards. Further, PROHAM calls on
political parties in GE14 to declare their commitment to human rights.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">PROHAM is greatly
disappointed in the Malaysian government for its lacklustre commitment to Human
Rights as reflected in its formulation of the National Human Rights Action Plan
(NHRAP) as mandated by the Vienna Convention and subsequently suggested by
SUHAKAM in 2001 and also recommended by the Universal Periodical Review (UPR)
in 2009 and 2013. Despite taking over five years to draw up, the NHRAP as
currently formulated falls short of the current global human rights standard
due to but obviously not limited to the following reasons:-</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">First, the
statement in the NHRAP “UDHR tidak sepatutnya dijadikan satu-satu rujukan untuk
memahami hak assasi manusia di dunia. Sebaliknya, instrument-instrumen lain
khususnya CDHRI (<i>Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam</i>) juga perlu
dijadikan rujukan primer oleh negara-negara Islam” is a clear attempt to down
play the universality of Human Rights but barely justified with a brief
reference to universality verses cultural relativism.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">The foundations of
the global position on human rights is the UN Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (UDHR). All member states accept this as it is now part of the UN
Charter and the foundation upon which all other human rights declarations and
conventions are built upon such as the Convention on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR), the Convention on Economic and Social Rights (ICESCR), the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Of which the latter three have
been ratified by Malaysia.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Second, while the
NHRAP states that it is consistent with the Federal Constitution, it has however
to a certain extent limited its application to Syariah law and the Syariah
courts; which as per the Federal Constitution is a matter for each State and
only applicable to Muslims only.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">The term universal
in the human rights language is applicable to all, irrespective of religion,
ethnicity or race or gender. Therefore, human rights law is for all and not for
one religious community. In the Malaysian context these laws must be consistent
with the Federal Constitution.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Third, in the
action plan we note that the ratification of UN conventions such as ICCPR,
ICESCR, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (ICERD), and the Convention Against Torture (CAT) are all listed
under long term measures taking between five to ten years. The formulation of
NHRAP took over 5 years and hence, these Conventions ought to have been
studied, reviewed and recommended for ratification. They ought not to be listed
under long term measures especially since the ratification of these UN conventions
were already recommended by the UN community in 2009 and 2013 UPR process.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">PROHAM therefore
concludes that the NHRAP has downplayed Malaysian’s standing in the global
community on human rights matters with a very weak political commitment to UN
global human rights standards. This is an unfortunate position after being in
the United Nations since 1957 as a member and also having been a member of the
Human Rights Council and Security Council.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Therefore, PROHAM
calls on the post GE14 Government to withdraw the NHRAP as currently formulated
and constitute a new body together with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia
(SUHAKAM) to rewrite the NHRAP to one which is consistent with the UN Handbook
on NHRAP and the Federal Constitution, before the November 2018 UPR in the
Human Rights Council in Geneva.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">PROHAM also calls
on all political parties and candidates in GE14 to make a commitment to global
human rights standards based on the Federal Constitution and the UDHR.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Issued on behalf of
PROHAM by:-</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #26282a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Datuk Kuthubul
Zaman Bukhari (Chairman, PROHAM) & Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (EXCO
member, PROHAM)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-68435850978138071752018-01-30T05:19:00.002-08:002018-01-30T05:19:15.670-08:00PROHAM welcomes the Federal Court decision in the appeal by Ms Indira Gandhi against the decision of the Court of Appeal.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">PROHAM supports this decision as it is in line with Article 14 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 14(1) provides that the State shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article 14(2) provides that States shall respect the rights and duties of the parents to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">Furthermore, it is not only the child’s rights that have been secured but also </span><span lang="EN-GB">the equal right as a parent to decide on matters relating to his or her children’s upbringing. </span><span lang="EN-MY">Under the Guardianship of Infants Act 1961, Section 5(1) clearly provides that in relation to the upbringing of an infant, a mother shall have the same rights and authority as the law allows to a father, and the rights and authority of mother and father shall be equal. Hence, a mother cannot lose her rights just because the father chooses to convert to Islam. Her rights cannot be rolled back bearing the principle of non-regression.</span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">As Malaysia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, Malaysia must ensure equal parental rights are always upheld and that the principle of the best interests of the child always prevails.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">PROHAM applauds the Federal Court in coming to a decision which ensures such rights are upheld. We urge all parties to respect this decision and work towards a united Malaysia where all are equal before the law irrespective of religion, class and gender.</span></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">Released by:</span></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY">Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, Chairman</span></b></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY">Ivy Josiah, Secretary General ( HP: 012 371 7070)</span></b></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">Society for the Promotion of Human Rights</span></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)</span></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></div>
<div class="m_8661315114538315513MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY">30 January 2018</span></div>
</div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-85460070534595768922018-01-12T05:04:00.002-08:002018-01-12T05:04:31.923-08:00All Children have a Right to Education<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
PROHAM is deeply concerned that
the immigration department and the education department are depriving stateless
children, born in Malaysia, the right to education. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Malaysia is a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child making it a duty on the part of the government <span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">to uphold its commitment to the protection and welfare of all children. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Children’s rights under the
Convention includes the right to association with both parents, human identity,
physical protection, food, universal state paid education, healthcare and
child’s civil rights.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Hence, all states being parties to the Convention must
ensure and guarantee these rights to each and every child irrespective whether
they are citizens, stateless or refugees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Every child is entitled to the
rights and freedom set forth in the Convention without distinction or
discrimination of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,
national or social origin, birth or other status. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Article 3 of the Convention
clearly provides that in all actions concerning children; whether undertaken by
public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative
authorities, or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall always
be a primary consideration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Therefore, to impose a
requirement of a passport on a stateless child before a child is allowed to
attend school is a preposterous condition and an outright violation of the
Convention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
PROHAM urges the government and
the relevant department to immediately revoke this condition to enable every
child in this country be given their basic human right namely, the right to
education. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Released by:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman,
Chairman <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Ivy Josiah, Secretary
General ( HP: 012 371 7070)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Society for the
Promotion of Human Rights <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Persatuan Promosi Hak
Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
11 January 2018</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-90714757419585639932017-12-31T09:02:00.001-08:002017-12-31T09:06:10.031-08:00Detained without trial clearly in violation of UDHR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
PROHAM is alarmed by the
disclosure made by the Prison Departments that 2787 people are being detained
without trial. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Prevention of Crime Act 1959
(POCA), Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015, Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Security
Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 which permits detention without trial are clearly
in violation of Article 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights:-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Article 9
provides that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest detention or exile.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
Article 10
provides that everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public
hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his
rights and obligations and of any criminal charges against him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
Article 11(1)
provides that everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be
presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at
which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As a member of the United Nations
and having ratified several human rights conventions, Malaysia has affirmed the
acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and consequently must
respect these rights. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There are sufficient provisions
in the Penal Code to deal with those suspected of terrorism or criminal
activities. Additionally, to deny these detainees a fair trial is a direct
violation of their fundamental human rights as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
PROHAM urges the government of
Malaysia to either charge these detainees or in the absence of sufficient evidence
warranting a charge, act on their immediate and unconditional release.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Released by:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman,
Chairman & Ivy Josiah, Secretary General <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Society for the
Promotion of Human Rights <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Persatuan Promosi Hak
Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
31 Dec 2017 </div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-70103141102485053972017-11-08T00:21:00.005-08:002017-11-08T00:21:48.679-08:00Children in Detention<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia / PROHAM is alarmed at the disclosure by the Home Minister in Parliament that as many as 142 children have been arrested under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA) and 17 children under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
The arrest under POCA provides for a detention without trial. Hence, these children have been deprived of their basic human rights, children deprived of liberty can be vulnerable to abuses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">
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The Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states, as in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the child by reason of his physical and mental immaturity needs special safeguards and care including appropriate legal protection. Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly provides that no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. It also clearly provides that no child shall be deprived of his/her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. As Malaysia is a signatory to this Convention, the Government must take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discriminations and punishments.</div>
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PROHAM urges the Government to respect these rights embodied in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.</div>
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Further, PROHAM calls on the Government to release these children immediately or charge them in the Juvenile Court so that these children are afforded legal rights to defend any allegations made against them. All children have the right to the protection of the law and access to justice.</div>
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Released by:</div>
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<b>Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, Chairman & Ivy Josiah, Secretary General</b></div>
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Society for the Promotion of Human Rights</div>
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Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM) </div>
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8 November 2017 </div>
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<b>Ivy Josiah</b></div>
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Secretary General of PROHAM- For further information conatct Ivy Josiah at 0123717070</div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-51564356227041231672017-10-08T22:51:00.001-07:002017-10-08T22:51:32.709-07:00Groups, individuals condemn crackdown on intellectuals, book banning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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KUALA LUMPUR: A joint declaration by more than 150 Malaysians, including those representing 63 groups, denounces what it called a series of crackdowns on intellectuals from Sept 25 to Oct 3.</div>
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The individals and groups comprising religious NGOs, human rights NGOs, civil society, student associations and other activist organisations issued a strongly-worded statement which was released at a press conference today.</div>
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They condemned the arrest of Turkish writer Mustafa Akyol, the harassment and persecution of Akyol’s host, Farouk Musa of Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), and the banning of 22 books, including discursive writings by Akyol, Farouk, scholar Faisal Tehrani (Mohd Faizal Musa) and cleric Ustaz Wan Ji Wan Hussin.</div>
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The groups made four key demands to the federal government and relevant state authorities, as follows:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; margin: 13.1875px 105.516px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To end all harassments, investigations and charges on Farouk Musa, IRF and their past and future intellectual guests;</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 13.1875px 105.516px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To lift the ban of the books as well as other books that promote intellectual discourses and moderation;</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 13.1875px 105.516px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To abolish the Printing Presses and Publications Act and to replace it with a human-rights-compliant publication law;</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 13.1875px 105.516px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To uphold Freedom of Expression, as enshrined in Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution and to end all thought policing on academics and academia.</li>
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“Religious teaching without tauliah [proper accreditation]” (Section 11 of Act 559 in this case) is a shariah offense normally reserved for errant preachers in mosques and surau.</div>
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“So, are intellectual discourses in universities involving Islam now being regulated by the relevant religious authorities as well?</div>
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“Do universities have to get clearance from the religious departments before inviting any speakers on any topics related to Islam?” the group said over the cancellation of a forum by Nottingham University where Akyol was to speak, due to pressure from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jawi).</div>
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The group said Jawi’s actions against Akyol for allegedly “teaching without accreditation” prior to the aborted forum, and against Farouk for allegedly abetting Akyol, has set a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for academic freedom and, certainly, freedom of speech in Malaysia.</div>
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“As Islam is being applied in almost every sector in Malaysian society, are the religious bureaucrats now the de-facto thought police for the nation to decide what thoughts we can and cannot have?”, the statement said.</div>
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Such control, the group says, also seems to be extended to what religious authorities deem fit for reading by Malaysians.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mind control</strong></div>
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“We also view the recent banning of books by Akyol, Farouk , Faisal Tehrani and Ustaz Wan Ji under Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publication Act (PPPA) as a further attempt at mind control.”</div>
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Based on the relevant passages in the act that was used by the government to ban these books – “prejudicial to public order, morality, security,” “to alarm public opinion,” or “prejudicial to public interest or national interest” – the group questioned Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over how did the books do as such.</div>
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“How did Zahid find ‘Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty’ and its Malay translation ‘Islam Tanpa Keekstreman: Berhujah Untuk Kebebasan’ by Mustafa Akyol, the two volumes of ‘Wacana Pemikiran Reformis’ edited by Farouk Musa, ‘Aku _ maka aku ada’ (I _ therefore I am) by Faisal Tehrani and ‘Ulamak yang bukan pewaris Nabi’ (Those clergy who are not the Prophet’s successors) by Ustaz Wanji, to be harmful to public order, morality, security, public opinion, public interest or national interest?</div>
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“Are ideas like moderation, reform and liberty now enemies of the state?”</div>
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The groups said they were coming together as they were concerned the actions taken against Akyol, Farouk and the banning of books were not isolated incidents.</div>
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“They seem to be a serious and dangerous escalation in a long and on-going process of thought policing to close the minds of Malaysians, especially Muslims.</div>
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“If we do not speak up for Akyol, Farouk, Faisal, Wan Ji and others whom the state want silenced, soon there will be no one left to speak up for us when we are silenced.”</div>
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The 50 groups include Sisters in Islam, Aliran, Bersih 2.0, National Human Rights Society (Hakam), Media Independence Movement (Geramm), Suaram, <b>Human Rights Promotion Association (Proham)</b>, Pusat Komas, Himpunan Hijau, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Research For Social Advancement (Refsa).</div>
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Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/10/09/groups-individuals-condemn-crackdown-on-intellectuals-book-banning/</div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-16770010009002741842017-09-30T04:25:00.005-07:002017-09-30T04:25:43.160-07:00UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF MUSTAFA AKYOL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">PROHAM is concerned at the
direction and manner in which the religious authority of Wilayah Persekutuan is
interpreting the powers under Section 11 of the Syariah Criminal Offences
(Federal Territories) Act 1997.</span></div>
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Invoking this provision of the
law against Mustafa Akyol; the world-renowned journalist, author and academic has
marred and besmirched Malaysia’s status as a moderate Muslim state in the eyes
of the world. The Honourable Prime Minister has always maintained and promoted
Malaysia as a moderate Muslim nation and as an example to be followed by other
Muslim states. However, this incident unfortunately proves otherwise. <o:p></o:p></div>
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PROHAM notes that Section 11 is
not applicable to someone who gives public lectures on comparative religion or
conducts an academic discourse on Islam. It does not come within the context of
religious education as envisaged under Part X of the Administration of Islamic
Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993. Hence, Mustafa Akyol’s detention is unjustified,
unlawful and the religious authority concerned has acted in excess of its
jurisdiction. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unnecessary restrictions imposed
on journalists, authors and academicians infringe the basic principles of human
rights. All religious authorities must respect this basic right. Further, the act
of the religious authority in this manner undermines tolerance and respect for
the various religious beliefs in a country with multi-racial, multi-religious
and a democratic society like ours. <o:p></o:p></div>
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PROHAM calls on the government to
ensure that such a conduct by any religious authority is never to be repeated
again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chairman, PROHAM<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sept 30, 2017</div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-17737773066997775602017-09-24T17:23:00.000-07:002017-09-24T17:23:56.573-07:00PROHAM's response to the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennounce's observations in Malaysia <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>'PROHAM shares the views and observations made by the UN Special Rapporteur, Karima Bennounce made on 21/9/17 at the end of her visit to Malaysia.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">PROHAM also urges the Malaysian government to exercise regional leadership on human rights and to ratify the various International human rights treaties and conventions which are still pending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">Issues raised with regards to the indigenous peoples especially the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia need to be addressed urgently by the government. The recommendations made by the relevant UN bodies on the cultural rights of the indigenous peoples must be fully implemented. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">The Special Rapporteur has also raised a long standing national concern about the impact of the unilateral conversion of the children by one parent and PROHAM urges the government to reconsider the proposed amendments to the Law Reform Marriage and Divorce Act which was withdrawn at the last Parliament sitting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">The Malaysian government should also remove restrictions and bans on artistic and cultural practices as well as on certain authors, publishers, filmmakers, artists and cartoonists. The use of the Sedition Act to quell freedom of expression is regretted and PROHAM reiterates Ms Karma's call on the government to repeal the Sedition Act and all laws that continuously provide for detentions without trial. We agree too with Ms Karima's observation on gender discrimination, <span style="color: black;">the restrictions on women performing for mixed audiences in Kelantan must be lifted without delay. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">The Malaysian Constitution protects peoples of all faiths (including atheism) and allows them to practice their religion freely. So PROHAM further urges the Malaysian government to respect and protect these rights, including the right not to profess any religion or belief.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Released by:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, Chairman & Ivy Josiah, Secretary General </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Society for the Promotion of Human Rights</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Sept 24. 2017</span></div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-26603459553060207752017-08-20T21:20:00.004-07:002017-08-20T21:20:57.282-07:00PROHAM’s response to the Home Minister’s comments on 15 August 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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PROHAM is appalled at the position of the Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who while launching his book on the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) 1959 on 15 August 2017 criticised human rights defenders accusing them of defending criminals. </div>
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The Home Minister reportedly alleged that critics of the law often masquerade as human rights defenders. Apparently he had said, “They claim to defend human rights, but in court, they defend criminals accused by the authorities.”</div>
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It is a principle of natural justice that everyone has the right to a trial and to be heard in court. Article 10 of the UDHR states "Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.” </div>
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<br />Furthermore the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is an important element of our criminal justice system. For the Home Minister to ignore this basic right and malign human rights defenders and presumably lawyers who take up cases to defend detainees is to willfully dismiss Article 11 of the UDHR which states "Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.”<br /></div>
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If the genuine concern is to eliminate serious crimes including organised crime PROHAM believes we have a battery of existing laws to do just that. We want to take this opportunity to refer to the report by the Royal Commission on the Malaysian Police, which has a dedicated chapter to combating crime. The “ Enhancing Investigative Policing” chapter has 26 recommendations to improve police investigations without having to resort to detention without trial. </div>
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<br />PROHAM strongly opposes detention without trial. </div>
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<br />In 2014, the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (“POCA”) was amended and expanded to reintroduce detention without trial and the recent amendments, the Prevention of Crime (Amendment) Act 2017 (POCAA), further slice off the rights of a detainee. The latest amendments takes away the right to appear before an Inquiry Officer and the Prevention of Crime Board (POCB) so as to respond to the allegations made against the detainee. The detainee is now deprived of a fundamental right to be heard nor have a lawyer make representations before the Inquiry Officer or the POCB. </div>
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<br />PROHAM urges the government of Malaysia to study the Report of the Royal Commission on the Malaysian Police, which states “Preventive laws are undesirable because they deny the individual his personal liberty without a right to trial in an open court as provided for in Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and international Bill of Rights. This right is the most precious that the individual has and it must be safeguarded.” </div>
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<br />Released by:<br />Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, Chairman & Ivy Josiah, Secretary General<br />Society for the Promotion of Human Rights<br />Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM)</div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-32633271566841493702017-08-16T17:05:00.003-07:002017-08-16T17:08:42.396-07:00CONDEMN AND REJECT POLITICAL VIOLENCE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was reported that several youths lit flares, threw chairs and shoes at the former Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at the “Nothing to Hide 2.0” forum in Shah Alam on 13 August 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Such despicable behaviour is fast becoming a growing trend in the Malaysian public space with threats of violence or actual violent actions towards politicians, activists and ordinary Malaysians who expressed their opinions concerning the state of Malaysian society and politics. These heinous acts of political gangsterism are aimed at intimidating the democratic contestation of ideas and silencing dissenting opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">This trend is worrying particularly with the looming General Elections. Such unruly and criminal behaviour, if left unchecked will inevitably escalate to outbreaks of political violence during the campaigning period.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Civil Society Organisations listed below:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. call upon all peace loving Malaysians irrespective of political views to condemn and reject all forms of political violence as well as any individual and organisation that try to directly or indirectly justify violence or protect the assailants;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. urge all political parties to strongly remind their supporters that violence will not be tolerated and to take all precautions to ensure the safety of participants at their public rallies;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. implore all sides to utilise the channel of engagement and civil discourse to solve problems rather than resort to violence and uncivilised means.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. strongly urge the police to immediately investigate and promptly apprehend the masterminds and perpetrators of this ruthless subversion of our democracy who must be swiftly prosecuted and convicted to show there is no impunity for political violence in Malaysia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">For enquiries, please contact statement coordinator, Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) at 03 2272 3594 or 017 3985 606 or <a href="mailto:infogpoam@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">infogpoam@gmail.com</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Endorsed by the following Civil Society Organisations:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAMAN) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Association of Women Lawyers Malaysia (AWL) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Baramkini</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Community Development Centre (CDC)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ENGAGE</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Federation Of Malaysian Indian Organisation (PRIMA) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Greenfriends Sabah (GF-Sabah) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">G25</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Institute For Development Of Alternative Living (IDEAL)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">12.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jaringan Rakyat Tertinda (JERIT) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">13.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">JIHAD for JUSTICE</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">14.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kuen Cheng Alumni Association (KCAA) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">15.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kumpulan Aktivis Mahasiswa Independen (KAMI)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">16.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">17.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">18.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Malaysian Indians Progressive Association (MIPAS) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">19.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Malaysian Indians Transformation Action Team (MITRA) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">20.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility (MPSR) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">21.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Malaysian Youth Care Association (PRIHATIN) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">22.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Merdeka University Berhad (MUB) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">23.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">24.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">25.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">26.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">27.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ONE RACE-HUMAN RACE</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">28.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (OHMSI) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">29.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">30.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">31.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (PROHAM) </span></u></b><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">32.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Persatuan Rapat Malaysia (RAPAT) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">33.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">34.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Plantation Resource Centre (PRC) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">35.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Projek Dialog (PD) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">36.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pusat KOMAS </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">37.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sabah Women's Action (SAWO)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">38.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Save Rivers </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">39.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saya Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">40.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sisters in Islam (SIS)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">41.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">42.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tamil Foundation (TF) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">43.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">TENAGANITA</span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">44.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tindak Malaysia (TM) </span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">45.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">WE ARE MALAYSIANS</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">46.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">47.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Women's Centre for Change, Penang (WCC) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="m_7802686450533802910gmail-m_-8914524529366291188gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">48.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Women Development Organisation of Malaysia PJ Branch</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">49.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-73724329027507812352017-08-02T18:43:00.000-07:002017-08-02T18:43:31.316-07:00Constitutional view on Bin Abdullah case<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">By </strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/authors?q=%22Shad+Saleem+Faruqi%22" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #107fc9; cursor: pointer; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase;">SHAD SALEEM FARUQI</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QD9Y8VpIF0/WYJ_PwUnDzI/AAAAAAAAc0U/lyavvYMv3IAKn19lhQ3m4HI3fduRaiYywCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_9772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QD9Y8VpIF0/WYJ_PwUnDzI/AAAAAAAAc0U/lyavvYMv3IAKn19lhQ3m4HI3fduRaiYywCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_9772.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">File pix: Prof Faruqi with Proham Chair & members at a Proham event a few years ago</td></tr>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Islam is like a mansion with many rooms, and diversity abounds in Islamic jurisprudence.</strong></div>
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COURT of Appeal judges Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli, Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Puan Sri Zaleha Yusof must be congratulated for their courageous and principled decision in the “Bin Abdullah” case.</div>
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Their verdict is based on sound principles of administrative law and has far-reaching, positive implications for our constitutional system.</div>
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The issue, in this case, was whether an illegitimate Muslim child can carry the name of his father.</div>
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The child was conceived out of wedlock but the parents had married. The child was born a few days short of six months after marriage.</div>
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The relevant law on the point is the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957, a federal law, which provides as follows:</div>
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> Under Section 13, the name of the person acknowledging himself to be the father of the illegitimate child is to be entered in the register as the child’s father provided the mother agrees to it.</div>
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> Section 13A(1) provides that “where the person acknowledging himself to be the father of the child in accordance with Section 13 requests so, the surname may be the surname of that person”. </div>
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> Section 13 explicitly bars any other names or surnames except at the joint request of the mother and the person acknowledging himself to be the father.</div>
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> The surname “Abdullah” is not mentioned anywhere in the Act.</div>
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> The Act makes no distinction (as many laws like the Wills Act do) between a Muslim and a non-Muslim and nowhere does the Act says that it does not apply to Muslims.</div>
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According to the court, the statutory law was crystal clear that with the consent of the mother, the father acknowledging responsibility was entitled to have his illegitimate child carry his name.</div>
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The complication was that a 1981 and 2003 National Fatwa Council advisory opinion states that an illegitimate Muslim child cannot carry his father’s name but must carry the surname “bin Abdullah”.</div>
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Accordingly, the National Registration Department (NRD) felt that it has a higher obligation to apply the Fatwa Council’s advisory opinion over and above the statutory law.</div>
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The court found this to be illegal.</div>
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Despite the adverse court ruling the NRD is standing its ground and is publicly defying the court.</div>
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The unfortunate behaviour of the NRD raises a number of constitutional law issues of critical importance to this nation.</div>
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Among them are: the relationship between Islamic law and enacted law, the federal-state division of powers especially on the issue of Islam, the subordination or superiority of our elected parliament to Syariah authorities, and the status of a fatwa as a source of law.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Islam as a source of law:</strong> Islam has indeed been given an exalted position as the religion of the Federation. Islamic law applies compulsorily to all Muslims but only in 24 areas specified in Schedule 9, List II, Para 1.</div>
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Syariah courts exist but have jurisdiction only over the 24 specified topics. In all other areas like contracts, torts, banking, insurance, commercial transactions and almost all crimes, civil law and not syariah regulates the life of the nation.</div>
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National registration is a federal, civil matter in List I, Para 3(e) and the court ruled rightly that rules of syariah are not applicable, unless the 1957 federal law specifically says so, which it does not.</div>
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Legitimacy, guardianship and inheritance, on the other hand, are clearly syariah matters and whatever name the child carries, the principles of syariah will be applicable to these situations when the time comes.</div>
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Choice of one surname or another will not exclude the syariah as the National Fatwa Council and the NRD seem to fear.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Power over Islam:</strong> Each state has independent jurisdiction over the 24 assigned areas of Islam. The National Fatwa Council has no right to trespass on the powers of the State Sultan or to dictate Islamic laws to any state.</div>
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In this case, the family concerned is from Johor and because the national fatwa was not adopted by Johor and not duly gazetted, it has no applicability to the state</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Status of a fatwa:</strong> Fatwas by the various state religious authorities have the status of subsidiary legislation because they are authorised by an enabling, parent law. Being subsidiary legislation, fatwas cannot override primary legislation. In this case the NRD was allowing a federal fatwa to override Section 13A(2) of a federal law.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Belief in supremacy of syariah:</strong> It is an exaggeration to argue that all matters concerning Muslims are regulated by the syariah.</div>
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Only 24 areas are subject to Islamic law. Thus, if a Muslim murders another Muslim, even if the victim’s family is agreeable in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence to receive blood-money in lieu of punishment, Islamic law cannot displace the Penal Code.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Islam and illegitimate children:</strong> Those who do not care about the constitutional perspective but only the Islamic perspective should be reminded that Islam is a mansion with many rooms. Diversity abounds in Islamic jurisprudence.</div>
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For example, Perlis allows illegitimate children to carry their fathers’ name. The National Fatwa Council, on the other hand, takes a rigid stand against the child.</div>
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The Holy Quran in innumerable passages reminds us that no soul bears the burden of another and no one pays for another’s sins: Surah 35:18, 17:13-15; 39:7. Muslims must, therefore, reflect whether Allah intends to punish in this life and in the hereafter the sons and daughters for misdeeds committed by their parents.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em>Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi is Tunku Abdul Rahman Professor of Law at Universiti Malaya. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.</em></strong></div>
<span id="innity-in-post" style="border: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetiva, Tahoma, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetiva, Tahoma, sans-serif;"></span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetiva, Tahoma, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/reflecting-on-the-law/2017/08/03/constitutional-view-on-bin-abdullah-case-islam-is-like-a-mansion-with-many-rooms-and-diversity-aboun/#BDfyKdOsTPqqgf3V.99</span><br />
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-36179421557990880752017-07-15T09:22:00.003-07:002017-07-15T09:22:35.091-07:00SDGS & MALAYSIA – CIVIL SOCIETY REFLECTIONS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Side Event @ the 2017 </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>High Level Political
Forum- UN New York </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Date: <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tuesday, 18 July, 2017 <o:p></o:p></div>
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Time: <o:p></o:p></div>
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9:30am to 11am <o:p></o:p></div>
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Venue: <o:p></o:p></div>
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Baha'i International Community,<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> <b>United Nations Plaza : 866 New York, </b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">NY
10017 </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">Suite 120 (1st Ave and 48th St.) New York </span><a href="http://ada2015.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556d63d191823f973939676ad&id=4800c5a18b&e=2dd484e668"><i><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">Map</span></i></a><a href="http://ada2015.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=556d63d191823f973939676ad&id=4800c5a18b&e=2dd484e668"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;"> </span></b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Brief write up of the discussion <o:p></o:p></h1>
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Malaysia is one of the 44 countries participating in the
2017 National Voluntary Review at the SDG High Level Political Forum in New
York in July 17-19, 2017. Malaysia has had an impressive track record in
poverty eradication and socio-economic development since independence in August
31, 1957 <o:p></o:p></div>
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At this side event hosted by the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance
who is a member of the Asian Development Alliance (ADA), we aim to provide a
CSO perspective in the implementation of SDGs in Malaysia. Malaysian CSOs have
formed an Alliance bringing together CSOs involved in development work, human
rights activism and environmental concerns. We have had public discussions and
networking since Oct 2015 on SDG related matters. We have networked with the
Malaysian government and participated in the two national SDG symposiums in
2016 and have been appointed as members on the National SDG Steering Committee
hosted by the Economic Planning Unit, Government of Malaysia. We have been
active in providing feedback and inputs to the preparation of the National
Voluntary Report as well as in the preparation of the Malaysian SDG National
Roadmap. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In this New York side event we will review the Malaysian
National Voluntary Review Report and discuss the achievements, challenges and
way forward for the SDG implementation in Malaysia. We will note the current
gaps and also highlight the role civil society is playing to complement the
government as well as holding the government accountable to the SDG goals,
targets and indicators. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Malaysian NVR<span style="font-weight: normal;"> -
</span><o:p></o:p></h1>
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https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15881Malaysia.pdf
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>PANEL OF SPEAKERS: </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Opening Comments <o:p></o:p></h1>
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Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Co
Chair of the Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance)
who will also moderate the Panel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dato Yogesvaran Deputy Director General, Economic Planning
Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, Government of Malaysia <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr Katinka Weinberger (UN ESCAP) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Comments from Malaysian CSOs <o:p></o:p></h1>
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Mr Rizal Rozhan (Empower Malaysia) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ms Chee Yoke Lin (Third World Network) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ms Lakshmi Lavanya Rama Iyer (WWF Malaysia) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr Atama Katama (PACOS Malaysia) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr Alizan Mahadi (Global Environmental System Leaders
Research Assistant, Keio University, Japan) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Comments from UN & Regional Organisations <o:p></o:p></h1>
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Ms Hannie Meesters (UNDP) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ms Wardarina, Co Chair Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement
Mechanism (AP-RCEM) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr Jyotsna Mohan, Regional Coordinator, Asia Development
Alliance (ADA) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Participation by registration. Security at the venue
building require full name submission as per ID two days before. You must
register by July 15 please. Limited spaces available so please register early.<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">For registration & further details contact: </span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;">denisonjayasooria@gmail.com</span></u>
Mobile (Malaysian) for text or whatsapp +6019 381 0914. USA mobile number
562-682-8838 (from July 5 to 20, 2017) <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-90018746984355790052017-07-15T09:21:00.000-07:002017-07-15T09:21:12.329-07:00FROM NEW YORK - MALAYSIA REPORTING AT THE UN & CSO HOSTING A REVIEW DISCUSSION ON SDGs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Press Release<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria Co
Chair, Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The High Level Political
Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2017 is currently
ongoing at the United National in New York since July 10, 2017. From Monday
July 17 to Wednesday 19, 2017 is the Ministerial session. Malaysia is one among
44 countries that is presenting a country report on the progress made in the
implementation of the SDGs and future plans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The presentation of Voluntary
National Reviews was agreed upon by all the governments when the General
Assembly in September 2015 collectively agreed to the 2030 SDG Global
transformational agenda. They all agreed to share their best practices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For 2017 the UN is
undertaking the reviews based on the theme "Eradicating poverty and
promoting prosperity in a changing world" and a focus is on SDG
1,2,3,5,9,14 and 17 of the seventeen SDGs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dato' Haji Abdul Rahman
Dahlan, the EPU Minister is representing the Malaysian government at the 2017
HLPF and two senior EPU officials are already here in New York namely Dato
Yogeswaran and Mr Abdul Halim Abdul Aziz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Malaysian report is an
82 page document. It provides a comprehensive overview of the Malaysian achievements
in poverty eradication, the aligning of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan and the SDGs
as well as noting some of the challenges and the way forward over the next few
years till 2030.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This report will be
presented and discussed on July 17, 2017 at 5.30pm (New York time) which is
5.30am Malaysian time on July 18, 2017. Malaysian CSOs will have an opportunity
to make a statement and ask a question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Malaysia
CSO Side event <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Malaysian CSO-SDG
Alliance is organising a discussion on the Malaysian VNR on July 18, 2017 at
9.30am (Malaysian time at 9.30pm on July 18, 2017</span> at the <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Baha'i
International Community, United Nations Plaza, New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have confirmation that
the EPU, UN ESCAP and UNDP will participate in this program. From the CSO
community there are six representatives here attending the 2017 HLPF and they
have all agreed to be on the panel. They are Mr Rizal Rozhan (Empower
Malaysia), Ms Chee Yoke Lin (Third World Network), Ms Lakshmi Lavanya Rama Iyer
(WWF Malaysia), Mr Atama Katama (PACOS Malaysia), Mr Alizan Mahadi (Global
Environmental System Leaders Research Assistant, Keio University, Japan) &
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Alliance). They will share their reviews on the
Malaysian VNR report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Among those who have
registered to participate are Ms Christina Chelliah the former Miss Malaysia
Universe 2002 (1st Runner Up) and Miss Malaysia Tourism World 2002 who now
lives in New York with her husband Chris Murphy. Another Malaysian New Yorker
who is attending is Mr Ray Tan, the Founder & President of the New York
Malaysian Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For the Alliance this is
a very significant event as our CSO review is also being done at the UN stage
in New York. This provide a global review and in the spirt of the SDGs civil
society is a key partner in the full realisation of the SDGs. While Malaysian
CSOs are appreciative of the networking with the government on SDGs but they
have some major concerns with the report which they feel need to be highlighted
so as to address the gaps and challenges effectively over the next few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">----------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Useful web linkages:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Malaysian VNR report is posted on the UN website.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15881Malaysia.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You can watch the
Malaysian country report presentation, live on the UN website on July 18, 2017
at 5.30am. <a href="http://webtv.un.org/">http://webtv.un.org/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are trying to organise
a skype casting of the CSO discussion too and Rizal of Empower is seeking to
make some arrangements on this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">July 15, 2017 from New
York<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-60192474778415908062017-04-11T18:23:00.000-07:002017-04-11T18:23:05.903-07:00Recent Abductions of five activists<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">PROHAM is concerned and shocked with regards to the sudden disappearance of the five activists since 5</span><sup class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">November 2016; namely Amri Che Mat, Pastor Raymond Koh, Pastor Joshua Hilmi, his wife, Ruth, and most recently Peter Chong. Peter Chong, in a recent public post on Facebook before his disappearance, disclosed an incident where a motorcyclist warned him to be on the alert due to the recent incidents of disappearances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" lang="EN-GB"><span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The ‘Di Mana Mereka?’ Gathering and Candle-Light Vigil held at Dataran Merdeka attended by hundreds of Malaysians last Saturday is testament to the worries and concerns of the Malaysian people by this unnerving development. People are living in a climate of fear; uncertain as to their own safety and that of their family members.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" lang="EN-GB"><span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">PROHAM urges the Police to put a stop to this dangerous trend. The Police needs to address the decline in public confidence and to ensure public order is maintained. PROHAM therefore urges the police to expedite their investigation, to bring those responsible for these criminal acts to justice. PROHAM urges the Police to uphold their duties to protect the freedom and the liberties of all Malaysians.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" lang="EN-GB"><span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari</span></span></div>
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<span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" lang="EN-GB"><span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Chairman,</span></span></div>
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<span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" lang="EN-GB"><span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">PROHAM ( Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia) </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" lang="EN-GB"><span class="m_2101431824099832140gmail_msg" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">April 11, 2017</span></span></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-60664933753424767762017-03-23T22:03:00.004-07:002017-03-23T22:03:44.299-07:00LAUNCH OF PROHAM’S LATEST BOOK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">By Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, PROHAM Chairman</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PROHAM
was registered with the Registrar of Societies on 10<sup>th</sup> March 2011,
making us 6 years old. The question to be asked I suppose is; over the 6 year
period what has PROHAM achieved? Have we achieved what we set out to do those
six years ago? When we first started, we were always aware of our shortcomings
in being a small society with limited resources. However, powered by our ideals
of a Malaysia as a rights-respecting democracy, we, along with our compatriots;
Hakam, Suaram, the Malaysian Bar, Bersih, Suhakam and the many other NGOs have
worked diligently at the promotion of Human Rights in Malaysia. It is therefore
very disheartening that despite all the work put in, human rights in Malaysia
is regressing instead of progressing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
where have we gone wrong? Could we have done better? Could we have done more? To
answer these questions, our very conscientious outgoing Secretary General,
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria decided to document all the work done by PROHAM
over the last 6 years in book form entitled ‘Championing Human Rights in
Malaysia: PROHAM through the years 2011 – 20116’. It is a tasked well carried
out, despite the short period of less than 30 days. Both Tan Sri Simon Sipaun
and I were merely given a few days to give our overview as the book needed to
go to the printers as soon as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally,
today you can see for yourself the printed copy of the book ready to be
launched. You will see from the contents all the work that we have all done in
the name of promoting Human Rights in Malaysia. This includes no less than 62
Roundtable discussions, a total of 134 press statements released on various
human rights issues and concerns. Despite our membership of only 18 full
members and four Hon members, this book is testimony to the small legacy that PROHAM
has already left behind and to the tireless efforts of all of us in realising
our ideals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With
that glimpse to the past and with renewed vigour for the next term, I hereby
officially launch ‘Human Rights in Malaysia: PROHAM through the years 2011 –
2016’! May the coming terms prove to be just as fruitful. Thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">March
23, 2017 at the PROHAM’s 7th AGM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-65103796706983314462017-03-23T21:45:00.000-07:002017-03-23T21:45:18.233-07:00FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
must admit that there are a lot more human rights issues which we need to
address. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the fundamental
right of access to justice. Mauro Cappellatti, an Italian jurist said <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The right of effective access to justice has emerged
with the new social rights. Indeed it is of paramount importance... effective
access to justice can be seen as the most basic requirement, the most basic
human right, of a system which purports to guarantee legal rights”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are
Malaysians and those residing in this country guaranteed that basic human
right? If one were to go on a random day to a Criminal Magistrates Court, it is
disheartening to see that a large number of accused are not legally
represented, mostly because they do not have the means to engage a lawyer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Malaysian Bar Council in 1983 passed a resolution to set up a Legal Aid Scheme
whereby every lawyer is required to contribute RM 100 to the scheme every year.
To run the scheme, every lawyer is encouraged to take up at least one legal aid
case per year. Chambering pupils must be at the Legal Aid Centre at least for 2
weeks to assist in running the Centre. This Scheme is the first in the world
and no other Bars have such a scheme. The Government of Malaysia also had set up
the Biro Bantuan Guaman to assist those who cannot afford a lawyer in areas of
divorce and limited civil cases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
these steps are insufficient. Despite these legal aid schemes, about 80% of
accused persons are unrepresented in court. The Bar Council then mooted the
idea of the Government setting up the <b>Yayasan
Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan (YBGK)</b>. After much persuasion, the Government set
up the YBGK on 25/1/2011. The YBGK scheme has been running smoothly but of
late, there has been considerable delay in payments to lawyers doing YBGK work.
This unfortunately resulted in some lawyers declining YBGK work. Thankfully,
the new President of the Bar, George Varughese has identified the source of the
delay being administrative delays in the checking of claims. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
PROHAM would urge the Board of the YBGK to resolve these issues immediately to
enable every accused person to have legal representation in Court. PROHAM would
also urge the government to increase the budget allocation so that the work of
YBGK will not only be to provide legal representation to the accused person in
a Criminal case but to include those who need legal representation in civil
cases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Additionally,
access to justice is not just limited to access to lawyers and courts. It means
access to various tribunals, advice agencies and the police law. In cases of
death in police custody, the family of the victims must also have access to
justice. The number of deaths in custody is alarming. The Deputy Prime Minister
revealed in Parliament recently that there are 1654 deaths in custody cases
since 2010 until February 2017. Even one death in custody is one too many. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysian
Police 2005 in its report recommended the setting up of the <span style="background: white; color: #020202;">Independent Police Complaints and
Misconduct Commission (</span>IPCMC). If such a body has been set up, the
victims of death in Police Custody can lodge a complaint to IPCMC to enable the
independent oversight body to investigate. Currently, it is the police who
investigate such issues. Clearly this is not acceptable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once
again, PROHAM urges the government to set up the IPCMC immediately. On this
issue, PROHAM will consider organising a roundtable discussion on access to
justice in the near future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Delivered
by Datuk Kuthubul Zaman, PROHAM Chairman (2014 -2017) who was re-elected for a
second term on March 23, 2017 at the PROHAM AGM for another term from 2017 – 2020.
March 24, 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-29254616304209067282017-03-14T20:08:00.003-07:002017-03-14T20:21:10.683-07:00National SDG Roadmap - CSO Reflections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ASLI-CCPS
together with the CSO-SDG Alliance hosted a discussion on the National SDG
Roadmap- CSO Reflections entitled ‘Leaving no one behind’ on March 14, 2017 in
Kuala Lumpur<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">JOINT STATEMENT BY ASLI-CPPS &
CSO_SDG ALLIANCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We had a lively
discussion yesterday and inputs from Civil Society Organisation (CSO) experts
on the panel was very refreshing. The thoughts centred on themes such as
environment & sustainability by Lavanya Rama Iyer (WWF); human rights and
the Universal periodical review by Rizal Rozhan (EMPOWER); poverty &
inequality by Dr Lin Mui Kiang (PROHAM);
gender mainstreaming by Sunitha Bisan (NCWO) and access to justice by Andrew
Khoo (Bar Council). From the presentations and feedback from the participants
we can recognise ten key pointers as inputs into the preparation of the
National SDG Roadmap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, it is recognised
that Malaysia has seriously taken the SDGs goals for public policy planning. We
noted that we can recognise the synergies between the SDGs and the Eleventh
Malaysia Plan. This is especially so in the chapters addressing the educational,
heath & human wellbeing, Bottom 40%, the multidimensional poverty
indicators and in the green growth for sustainability. It was noted that this
was a very good start but the challenge is in the implementation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Second it was also acknowledged
that the Economic Planning Unit has created the spaces for CSO participation at
the national discussions in 2016 and also in the National SDG Steering
Committee, thematic cluster groups and also the in the specific taskforces. CSOs appreciate the spaces and hope for
ongoing participation in planning, deliver, monitoring and implementation recognising
that this is a fifteen year agenda incorporating three Malaysia plans
(Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Third, it was recognised
that much of the focus in national policy discussions have been on the 17 SDG
goals along with the 169 targets and 230 indicators. While this is necessary
and important it is necessary to draw on the UN Transformational document –
Agenda 2030 which has the substantive background, ethos and ideology undergirding
the goals, targets and indicators. Without the framing documents and themes the
exercise will just become a technical process losing the substance and depth. It
will miss the focus on paradigm of sustainability development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fourth, some thematic and
cross cutting concerns were highlights. It was noted that the National SDG
Roadmap discussions lacked the discussion on the philology of sustainability and
development such as the balance between people, profits and planet in a
sustainable way. It is not enough just to use these terms as slogans but it
must be ingrained as the conflicts and contestation comes in the implementation
and often economic and business value and considerations are placed on higher
priority than people and the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fifth, of utmost
importance is to strengthen our understanding and commitment in three area
namely towards a sustainability agenda and framework, then on gender
mainstreaming or gender lenses not just SDG 5 but the whole agenda for change,
as well as human rights as a cross cutting theme of not just economic, social,
cultural rights but also civil and political rights namely that people have
right to voice their concerns and participation in holding the State actors
accountable. Access to information becomes a central right for participation and
holding the State actors accountable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sixth, we also noted that
there were some mismatches between the targets and indicators set at the global
level. There is a need to have national indicator setting forums to formulate
what are specific indicators which will capture the aspirations of Malaysians
at the national context. In this context alternative indicators could be
developed such as indicators for natural capital and its value, well-being or
quality of life index and multidimensional poverty index for B40 and urban poor
which capture their aspirations for social mobility and well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Seventh, it was noted
that local government including the district office at the grassroots play should
play a major role in SDG implementation. There must be more work done in
creating greater awareness and enhancing their ‘buy-in’ in this process especially
from agency officers at the district level as well as the local authorities.
They must adopt a sustainability agenda for local governance. The Local agenda
21 was mentioned as a good example but its full potential was not tapped at the
local governance level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Eight, it was also
expressed that there should be a review undertaken on the specific issues and recommendations
raised in the UPR process on human rights compliance alongside the SDG goals
and targets. The common areas and concerns should be tabulated and discussed.
This will enable the National SDG Roadmap to also take note of the UPR
obligations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ninth that the role of
CSO and nature of engagement need to be more clearly defined. CSOs do not want
ad hoc participation. They want to be equal partners with the public sector at
planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. They like to ensure that
there are adequate structures and resources that can enable effective
participation. It was strongly expressed that public funds should be made
available to CSOs in implementing the SDGs especially in undertaking awareness
programs, coordination, capacity building and enhancing the richness, quality
and diversity of CSO engagement in this process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally it was also noted
that CSOs like how we engage with the public sector should strengthen alliances
with private sector as there are many good CSR initiatives by businesses. It is
hoped that more public sector companies especially the public listed ones will
also adopt the sustainability ethos and framework for the total operations in
additions to undertaking CSR projects. The call is to move beyond CSR to frame
it in SDG terms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jointly issued by Tan Sri
Michael Yeoh (ASLI-CPPS) & Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (CSO-SDG Alliance).
March 15, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-41022790100132068732017-03-06T00:01:00.001-08:002017-03-06T00:16:32.840-08:00PROHAM calls on the Police for effective action in finding Pastor Raymond Koh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HAN7XRmNAY/WL0ayriP3PI/AAAAAAAAcjk/i9--pfz1EtIQmG-2juYFgbW0NCkpImWMgCLcB/s1600/YM_raymond_koh_vigil_20170305_10%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HAN7XRmNAY/WL0ayriP3PI/AAAAAAAAcjk/i9--pfz1EtIQmG-2juYFgbW0NCkpImWMgCLcB/s400/YM_raymond_koh_vigil_20170305_10%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PROHAM expresses concern
over the rise of people’s feeling of insecurity and public safety due to the
different crime incidences in the Klang valley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are shocked to read in
the media of the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh on Feb 13, 2017 and the
concerns raised by the family. The video clipping of that alleged abduction
widely circulated in the social media has further shocked the general public on
how well organised and managed was this abduction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PROHAM urges the Police
to thoroughly investigate this matter and maintain good communication with the
family and the general public. Effective Police action and timely clarifications
are of utmost importance to dispel any rumours concerning this abduction and
the perception of rising crime and violence in Malaysian cities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PROHAM is absolutely
disappointed with the nature of Police action, roadblocks and the large number
of Police personal not allowing entrance to anywhere near the Police HQ in Shah
Alam. This was a peaceful prayer vigil by concerned citizens along with the
family members including the wife of Pastor Raymond Koh. A pray vigil for the
abducted Pastor and also for the Police officials who are investigating the
incident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">PROHAM is of the opinion
that the Police could have used this occasion to extend friendship and support
to the family and concerned citizens. This would have been a good gesture in line
with community policing rather than the tough Police action taken last night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Statement issued by Datuk
Kuthbul Zaman (Proham Chairman) and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham
Secretary General) March 6, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-46872077326591250392017-03-03T20:50:00.001-08:002017-03-03T20:54:16.656-08:00Global Human Rights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Bar Council's Human Rights Committee co-chairperson Andrew Khoo fears that Malaysia will use US President Donald Trump's anti-human right policies in justifying similar approaches taken by Putrajaya.</div>
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Malaysians who speak about the importance of human rights and uphold fundamental rights would be disregarded, he said.</div>
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"This is the worrying part, (they would say,) 'If the US can do it, why can't we continue to do it?'," he said.</div>
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"When Trump said US first, he basically said everybody else is not a priority, that has a trickle down effect on the rest of the world, too," he said.</div>
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Trump, the controversial US president who took office on Jan 20, was widely criticised as a threat to human rights, anti-globalisation and labelled sexist and racist.</div>
<div style="font-family: "proxima nova", "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
Amnesty International had claimed the <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en-GB&q=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/373298&source=gmail&ust=1488688914991000&usg=AFQjCNH1pNnoiD2EK4T1YpH9n_hAKNaqtg" href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/373298" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0077dd; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 700;">divisive</span></a> and "poisonous" language used by Trump is putting vulnerable populations at risk and making the whole world a more dangerous place</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;">Rise of right-wing Christians in M'sia?</span></div>
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Beside worrying about the spillover effect on the human rights movement in Malaysia and other parts of the world, Khoo also claimed Trump's white supremacy has affected Malaysia.</div>
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"Since the day US did not vote against the resolution of the (United Nation) Security Council in December (2016) which criticised Israel for building settlements, I have received (messages on how) the resurgence of right-wing Christians have taken control.</div>
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"Even though I am a Christian, this is frightening to me because there are so many people in Malaysia who seem to support the right-wing Christian agenda coming from the US," he added.</div>
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"I wonder why? If you are talking about role models, definitely Trump is not a role model," he told the room packed with more than 150 people.</div>
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The pro-Israel and anti-Arab approaches taken by US on this matter and the putting aside of human rights was rather dangerous, he said.</div>
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He also expressed concern on the phenomenon in the country where non-Muslim are being labelled as anti-Islam while those who are not mainstream Muslim being deemed as deviant and terrorist when they speak on religious issues.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;">US would not attend to help foreign countries</span></div>
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Khoo offered his personal views at the forum titled 'Global Human Rights In the Era of President Trump' held by Penang Institute in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur last night.</div>
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Other speakers were former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, Promotion of Human Rights Malaysia (Proham) secretary-general Denison Jayasooria and Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director Phil Robertson.</div>
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Describing Trump as having brought "unmitigated disaster" to human rights, Robertson expected things were likely to get worse before they got better.</div>
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Robertson said he wasn't sure how US would react when civil society from the rest of the world, including Malaysia, seek help on human rights issues.</div>
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Citing activist Lena Hendry's prosecution, he said the then-US ambassador was <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en-GB&q=http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/373245&source=gmail&ust=1488688914991000&usg=AFQjCNGN11nl6pYhP3WfuCxsakq0j5gROQ" href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/373245" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0077dd; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 700;">persuaded</span></a> to talk to the Sri Lanka high commissioner in Malaysia, to urge the government to drop the prosecution against her.</div>
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"We are not going to have that any more," he said.</div>
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Denison feared that Trump's rhetoric would have an impact on the minorities if the ethno-religious nationalist take centre stage, as had happened in India and Myanmar.</div>
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While noting the narrowing space for the civil society who uphold equal rights, he remained optimistic with the future of US and the rest of the world.</div>
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"I think the US society will rise (against Trump) because the institutions and media are strong, they are holding him accountable and it will help the US to rediscover its soul," he said.</div>
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He urged Malaysians to show solidarity with Americans who were impacted by Trump's policies.</div>
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He wanted the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) which was advocated by Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for some years, to be implemented by the government.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: 700;">Muslim countries urged to examine 'discriminatory policies'</span></div>
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Pillay, who is also a former judge of the International Criminal Court, expressed her disappointment with the absence of Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail at the forum.</div>
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"I am surprised and a little disappointed that the chair of Suhakam did not attend the discussion. The national human rights institution is the watchdog and guardian in ensuring the government implements its undertaking internationally," she said. </div>
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Pillay pointed out that the US courts had placed a stay on Trump's travel ban against seven Muslim countries on the grounds the discrimination on religious ground was unconstitutional and violated international laws.</div>
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"Now, it's time that Muslim-majority countries need to also take a deep look on whether their policies on religious grounds are something that Trump vouches for.</div>
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"When you exclude and discriminate minorities of other religious and ethnic groups in favour of one sect of a particular religion, then you are doing exactly what Trump is doing now," she said.</div>
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This is the appropriate moment for this to be examined by countries that discriminate on religious grounds, she said.</div>
<span style="font-family: "proxima nova" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Read more: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en-GB&q=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/374467%23ixzz4aKOyu0TK&source=gmail&ust=1488688914992000&usg=AFQjCNHN7baz17IJ-EgsqTUE5bvQ-rcpGA" href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/374467#ixzz4aKOyu0TK" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #003399; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>malaysiakini.com/news/374467#<wbr></wbr>ixzz4aKOyu0TK</a></span></div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2721576254500215155.post-8622997762007973432017-02-26T16:27:00.000-08:002017-02-26T16:27:00.433-08:00Global Human Rights in the Era of President Trump<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Penang Institute in KL is proud to invite Navi Pillay (Former United Nations High Commisioner for Human Rights, 2008-2014) as our speaker for a forum entitled <strong>"Global Human Rights in the Era of President Trump"</strong>. You are cordially invited to attend this lecture as scheduled below:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Date : 3 March 2017 (Friday)<br />Time : 8.00pm - 10.30 (Registration start at 7.30pm)<br />Venue : Bookmark, APW, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur</span><br /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: red;"> DESCRIPTION </span> </span></strong><br /><br />2017 will likely be a very grim year for human rights advocates around the globe, with looming challenges including the continued backlash against the flow of refugees from the Middle East, the continued anti- globalisation and anti-free trade backlash and the uncertainty generated by the policies of the Trump administration.<br /><br />While it may seem like too big of a ‘fish’ to swallow in Malaysia, society should be encouraged to have open discussions on the different challenges confronted by human rights on a national, regional and global perspective. Doing so will not only help create an educated, well-informed and contextualized discourse but also enable the formation of strategies in response to these global challenges.<br /><br />Penang Institute in Kuala Lumpur will be organizing a forum entitled “Global Human Rights in the era of President Trump” as a platform to debate these issues.<br /><br />The forum will be held on Friday, 3rd of March, 2017 at Bookmark, APW, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur from 8p.m. to 10.30 p.m.<br /><br />The panel will feature distinguished speakers including Ms <strong>Navi Pillay,</strong> the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, <strong>Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria</strong>, Secretary General of the Society for the Promotion of Human Rights, Malaysia (PROHAM), <strong>Phil Robertson</strong>, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Asia and <strong>Andrew Khoo</strong> from Bar Council, with <strong>Dr Ong Kian Ming</strong>, General Manager of Penang Institute in Kuala Lumpur, moderating the discussion.<br /><br />It is inevitable that any discussion of global human rights so early in 2017 will be somewhat speculative. Nevertheless, certain actions taken by the U.S. government have already raised disturbance, to say the least. This forum is but a small step towards a larger discussion that is ongoing in Malaysia and around the world.</span><br /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">FREE ADMISSION! Due to limited seats, registration is encouraged. Kindly register your interest at this </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en-GB&q=http://ongkianming.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D8b309c92010b7d6471c5f7154%26id%3Deb57c94ad5%26e%3Dde9a0abe69&source=gmail&ust=1488241472308000&usg=AFQjCNHGFVFfAPMrB5EmOQ15yiIXSpFObQ" href="http://ongkianming.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8b309c92010b7d6471c5f7154&id=eb57c94ad5&e=de9a0abe69" style="color: #2baadf; font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">.</span><br /> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Steven Sim</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Director,<br />Penang Institute</span></div>
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<span style="color: firebrick;"><em><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Penang Institute is a non-profit Penang-based think tank and research institute set up in 1997, with a focus on facilitating dynamic and sustainable development for Penang.</span></em></span></div>
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PROHAM -Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279119891928971372noreply@blogger.com0