MALAYSIA’S ROLE IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

2014 Human Rights Day Public Forum

MALAYSIA’S ROLE IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL :

Addressing Global, Regional & Domestic concerns pertaining to security, sustainable development & human rights

Date: Dec 9, 2014 (Tuesday)

Time: 8.30pm to 10.30am (Light Refreshments from 7.30pm)

Venue: Brickfield Asia College (PJ Campus), VSQ@PJ City Centre, Jalan Utara, Section 14, Petaling Jaya

Malaysia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on Oct 16,

2014. This is for a two year period starting in Jan 2015 till Dec 2016. This is a

major achievement for Malaysia and this global recognition enhances our global role and

contribution especially during the time when Malaysia will also be the chair to ASEAN.

This is also a critical period in the global context due to rising extremism and global conflict

which is threatening global peace, prosperity and security.  In addition the UN is also

finalising the Post MDG 2015 agenda with the introduction of the Social Development Goals

(2016-2030)

Active participation at the global UN level has clear implications for domestic policies and

programmes especially in the way government will have to address matters pertaining

to human rights, sustainable development, good governance, transparency and accountability

at the home front.

Malaysia will face a credibility gap if what we advocate at the UN level does not match with

practice here in Malaysia especially in enhancing democracy, freedom of speech &

expression, through the ratification core UN Conventions and fulfilling the UPR

committments

OBJECTIVES OF THE PUBLIC FORUM

Proham together with the Brickfields Asia College is hosting this Public Forum which is part

of the 2014 Human Rights Week Celebrations organised jointly by the UN, Suhakam, GMM,

Bar Council & Proham

The objectives are:

To understand the role of the UN Security Council and UN global commitments and

challenges including the formulation of the post MDG- Sustainable Development Goals and

its implications

To understand and review Malaysia’s role in the UN Security Council noting opportunities &

challenges for 2015 & 2016

To critically review the implications of Malaysia’s global role and its impact on domestic

public polices & programs especially with regards to greater human rights compliance

consistent with the UN human rights conventions and instrucments.

To discern some key priorities for Malaysia at the global, regional & national level and the role Malaysians can play especially civil society in enhancing the human rights and sustainable development agenda for all.

PANEL:

Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari (Proham):         Word of Welcome & setting the agenda       

Ms Michelle Gyles-McDonnough (UN):                  Understanding the UN Security Council role and the UN Agenda in the Post MDGs and the formulation of the Social Development Goals

Tan Sri Hasmy Agam (SUHAKAM):                     Understanding Malaysia’s Global commitments on Human Rights & Reflections as a former diplomat 

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (GMM):                       Promoting moderation globally, regionally and nationally as a way for conflict resolution

Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan

(Former Bar Council Chair) :                                  Enhancing domestic human rights compliance                                                                                          consistent with UN standards & instruments

Moderator : Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

                        (Proham Secretary General)           

----- DUE TO LIMITED SPACES WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REGISTER EARLY---

Participation is by registration. Please register by indicating name, organisation and contact

details (mobile and email address) to: Proham Secretariat at prohamsecretariat@gmail.com

DO AWAY WITH SEDITION & RESTORE DEMOCRACY & HARMONY

Syahredzan, Kuthubul, Denison, Zaman & Steve

Proham hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the Sedition Act raising the question “Is it a mechanism to protect constitutional guarantees or a political tool to suppress freedom of speech?” This was held on the 17^th of November 2014 at the Law Faculty, University Malaya.

We received reflections from Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham Chairman), Tan Sri Zaman Khan (Former senior Police officer), Mr Syahredzan Johan (National Young Lawyers Committee) and Mr Steven Thiru (Vice Chairman of the Malaysian Bar).

Concerns Expressed

We heard the concerns of a section of Malaysian society who strongly feel that the repeal will open the flood gates to challenge the position of Islam, the national language, the special position and the royalty.

We were told how the Sedition Act was used. Reference was made to Gail Davidson’s article “Lawyers and the Rule of Law on Trial : Sedition in Malaysia; An Analysis of Malaysia’s Sedition Act”  in response the 2000 Karpal Singh’s Sedition trial where the charges were dropped, and the more recent charge on which he was convicted. The current twelve Sedition cases before the courts since May 2014 clearly contradicts the position of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who promised to repeal the Sedition Act.

We also heard comments on the emerging “climate of fear and self-censorship” which negatively impacts democratic freedoms in Malaysia, especially in a time when the global trend is towards greater democracy and human rights compliance.

We heard reports of courageous Malaysians who are campaigning through raising awareness, and the signature campaign for the repeal of the Sedition Act

We explored the alternatives to the Sedition Act which will still protect constitutional guarantees and will promote harmony, reconciliation and mediation among groups and communities through the proposed Harmony Laws.

Proham’s Position

We are of the opinion that the repealing of the Sedition Act will in no way affect the constitutional position of the four core concerns (Islam, Malay Language, Special Position & Rulers), as those provisions are protected in the Federal Constitution.

We advocate democratic freedoms and human rights compliance as the best way forward to dispel ethno-centric nationalists and intolerance to diversity positions. Objective and rational discussions will dispel emotive and irrational viewpoints thereby addressing negative positions which breed hatred, suspicion and misguided opinions.

We recognise that some sections might incite hatred and advocate violence but we are of the opinion that there are provisions within the Penal code which can be used to sufficiently address those sections.

Therefore Proham calls on the Federal Government to withdraw all sedition cases, repeal the current act and formulate a formal grievance mechanism which incorporates mediation and conflict resolution.

Issued on behalf of Proham by Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham Chairman) and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Secretary General)

Nov 18, 2014

PROHAM RTD ON SEDITION ACT

Is it a mechanism to protect constitutional guarantees or

a political tool to supress freedom of speech ?

 Date:               Nov 17, 2014 (Monday)

Time:               4pm to 6.30pm

Venue:             Conference Room, Law Faculty, University Malaya

The Sedition Act was first introduced in Malaya in 1948 by the Colonial power. It continues to be on the statute books. Prime Minister Najib in 2013 promised to repeal it however there is now increased investigations and prosecutions using this act.

This Roundtable Discussion (RTD) hosted by Proham & the University Malaya Law Faculty, KL will provide a comprehensive overview of the Sedition Act and the court cases and judgments so far. It will explore the merits and demerits of such a law for Malaysia today

It will critical analyse if the Sedition Act protects constitutional guarantees such as religion, language, special position and monarchy effectively or is just a political tool. We will explore if there are better approaches, models and mechanisms to address a balance between sedition laws and freedom of speech from a human rights perspective.

Panel of Speakers

Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham Chairman) – Overview of Sedition Act and cases since Merdeka

Tan Sri Zaman Khan (Former Senior Police officer) – The need for the Sedition Act and why some sections of Malaysian Society still want it

Mr Syahredzan Johan (Bar Council's National Young Lawyers Committee) – Why this campaign against the Sedition Act and the “Walk for Peace and Freedom”

Mr Lim Chee Wee (Former Bar Council Chairman & NUCC Deputy Chair Laws & Policy working committee) – Alternative proposals to the Sedition Act, why and what

Panel Moderated by:- Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham)

------------------------------------
Participation is by registration: Email- prohamsecretariat@gmail.com

2014 Human Rights Day Public Forum

MALAYSIA’S ROLE IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL:

Addressing Global, Regional & Domestic concerns

pertaining to security, sustainable development & human rights

 

Date:               Dec 9, 2014 (Tuesday)

Time:               8.30pm to 10.30pm (Light Refreshments from 7.30pm)

Venue:             Brickfield Asia College (PJ Campus), VSQ@PJ City Centre, Jalan Utara,

                         Section 14, Petaling Jaya

Malaysia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on Oct 16, 2014. This is for a two year period starting in Jan 2015 till Dec 2016. This is a major achievement for Malaysia and this global recognition enhances our global role and contribution especially during the time when Malaysia will also be the chair to ASEAN.

This is also a critical period in the global context due to rising extremism and global conflict which is threatening global peace, prosperity and security.  In addition the UN is also finalising the Post MDG 2015 agenda with the introduction of the Social Development Goals (2016-2030)

Active participation at the global UN level has clear implications for domestic policies and programmes especially in the way government will have to address matters pertaining to human rights, sustainable development, good governance, transparency and accountability at the home front.

Malaysia will face a credibility gap if what we advocate at the UN level does not match with practice here in Malaysia especially in enhancing democracy, freedom of speech & expression, through the ratification core UN Conventions and fulfilling the UPR commitments.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PUBLIC FORUM

Proham together with the Brickfields Asia College is hosting this Public Forum which is part of the 2014 Human Rights Week Celebrations organised jointly by the UN, Suhakam, GMM, Bar Council & Proham

The objectives are:

To understand the role of the UN Security Council and UN global commitments and challenges including the formulation of the post MDG- Sustainable Development Goals and its implications

To understand and review Malaysia’s role in the UN Security Council noting opportunities & challenges for 2015 & 2016

To critically review the implications of Malaysia’s global role and its impact on domestic public polices & programs especially with regards to greater human rights compliance consistent with the UN human rights conventions and instrucments.

To discern some key priorities for Malaysia at the global, regional & national level and the role Malaysians can play especially civil society in enhancing the human rights and sustainable development agenda for all.

PANEL:

Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari (Proham):         Word of Welcome & setting the agenda      

Ms Michelle Gyles-McDonnough (UN):  Understanding the UN Security Council role and the UN Agenda in the Post MDGs and the formulation of the Social Development Goals

 Tan Sri Hasmy Agam (SUHAKAM): Understanding Malaysia’s Global commitments on Human Rights & Reflections as a former diplomat 

 Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (GMM): Promoting moderation globally, regionally and nationally as a way for conflict resolution

Tan Sri Michael Yeoh (ASLI): Promoting an ASEAN agenda at the UN Security Council & implications for Malaysia as Asean Chair in 2015

Dato Ambiga Sreenevasan (Former Bar Council Chair) : Enhancing domestic human rights compliance consistent with UN standards & instruments

 

Moderator : Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham Secretary General)          

----- DUE TO LIMITED SPACES WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REGISTER EARLY---

Participation is by registration. Please register by indicating name, organisation and contact details (mobile and email address) to: Proham Secretariat at prohamsecretariat@gmail.com

 

Bersih, Tindak say 'no' to any Pakatan-EC deal

Rama (Proham Secretariat)  represented Proham at this event

By Koh Jun Lin (Malaysiakini)

By Koh Jun Lin

By Koh Jun Lin

 

Electoral reform groups Bersih and Tindak Malaysia have insisted that Pakatan Rakyat should not agree to any increase in electoral constituencies.

“Civil society has made it very clear: No seat increase. Both Bersih and Tindak have made that sort of recommendation.

“We will consider more seats agreed to by the opposition parties as a betrayal of the rakyat,” Tindak Malaysia founder PY Wong said today.

At the same press conference, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah (right) said Pakatan should not be lulled into thinking new seats would help the coalition to win elections.

She pointed out that past elections have shown, after each seat increase, that the BN would win by a landslide, as shown in the 2004 general election.

“That is a problem because you are taking voting powers away from the voters,” she said.

The redelineation exercise is expected to take place by the end of the year, and according to PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, the EC has been approaching Pakatan politicians with ‘different promises to different parties’ to garner support for seat increases.

EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof had said that seat increases are necessary to ensure that voters can obtain good service from their elected representatives.

Assuming BN parliamentarians are in full support of the seat increases, the support of at least 14 Pakatan MPs will still be needed to approve the new parliamentary seat delineation.

Former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan had previously suggested that Pakatan should leverage this as a bargaining chip to pressure the EC to reform, in particular to clean up discrepancies in the electoral roll.

However, Wong argued that other electoral reforms need to be in place before the issue of seat increases can be discussed, including a reform of the constitutional provisions on redelineation.

After that, he said, the number of parliamentary seats in each state in Peninsular Malaysia needs to be redistributed, in order to reflect the population in each state.

“You have Johor with 26 seats with only two-thirds the population of Selangor, while Selangor only has 22 seats. Then you have Pahang, with 14 seats.

“If you were to rebalance it, Selangor should have 30 seats. We don’t need to have an increase in seats. By right, Selangor should have an increase in seats; Johor, Pahang and Perak should have a reduction in seats. Malacca also should have an increase in seats.

“Maintain the total at 165 seats (throughout the peninsula), then equalise the seats to represent one man, one vote, one value,” Wong (right) said.

He also rubbished the claimed that more parliamentarians are needed to serve the people better, saying that EC has not conducted any study to justify the increase, and that other parliaments usually have a much smaller ratio of population to parliamentarians.

Judging from the ratio in other countries, he said, Malaysia should have only 150 MPs instead of the current 222.

Having more parliamentarians would also reduce the average time each member has to speak in Parliament, down from the current two-and-half hours a years.

Needed: MPs who will be more responsive

Instead, what we need are MPs who will be better connected and more responsive to voters, Wong said.

“If you go to Western Australia, there is one seat called Durack. Durack has one MP, 150,000 voters and is spread over an area of 1.5 million square kilometres – which is five times the size of Malaysia.

“How do they do it? Very simple, look at what (Selangor) Menteri Besar Mohd Azmin Ali did. He gave out his handphone number to everybody. You have problem? SMS (him).

“So the solution is actually not more MPs. The solution is for MPs to give out their handphone numbers for voters to reach them,” Wong said.

Maria added that what is also needed is not more MPs, but quality MPs who can bring substantive debates to Parliament, instead of engaging in shouting matches.

http://www.kinitv.com/video/12529O8?utm_source=mkini&utm_medium=widget&utm_campaign=ms

“CAN LAW SAFEGUARD HARMONY IN DIVERSITY?” Human Rights Day Speech Competition 2014

Human Rights Speech Competition 2014

In conjunction with the 2014 Human Rights Week Celebrations organized by UN, SUHAKAM, GMM, Bar Council and Proham, it gives us immense pleasure to inform you that PROHAM (Society for the Promotion of Human Rights) in collaboration with Brickfields Asia College is organizing a Human Rights Speech Competition to commemorate the World Human Rights Day on 10^th December 2014.

 

The theme of the Human Rights Speech competition is “Can Law Safeguard Harmony in Diversity?” and is open to all law students in public and private colleges. The competition will be held at Brickfields Asia College, PJ Campus on Wednesday 10^th December, 2014. 

Please refer to the attached guidelines for details on the rules and guidelines. The closing date for registration is November 20^th, 2014 We look forward to your active participation to make the event a memorable one.

Yours sincerely,

 

Raja Singham                               Datuk Dr Denison   Jayasooria
Brickfields Asia College                Proham

SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (PROHAM)

& BRICKFIELDS ASIA COLLEGE (BAC)

OPEN LAW UNDERGRADUATES SPEECH COMPETITION

“CAN LAW SAFEGUARD HARMONY IN DIVERSITY?”

Rules & Guidelines

Introduction

 

1.            The United Nations office in Malaysia, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM), the Bar Council and the Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM) are jointly hosting the 2014 Human Rights Day Celebrations (HRDC) in Malaysia.

 

2.            In conjunction therefore, PROHAM in partnership with the Brickfields Asia College (BAC) are jointly hosting a Public Forum, an online Human Rights Quiz for secondary school student and a Speech Competition for law students on the topic “Can law safeguard harmony in diversity?” on 10 December 2014 from 3 pm to 6 pm at the BAC Campus at Petaling Jaya.

 

3.            The Speech Competition is to promote awareness of Human Rights amongst undergraduate law students enrolled at public or private Universities and Colleges.

 

4.            Each Speech for the Competition shall be in the English Language on the topic “Can Law Safeguard Harmony in Diversity?”  which :-

 

4.1       shall be original and contain legal arguments; and

 

4.2       may focus on Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in Malaysia; or

 

4.3       may refer to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and Court judgments both foreign and local; or

 

4.4       may refer to anti discrimination legislation (if any) amongst Commonwealth countries any others; or

 

4.5       may refer to the Equal Opportunities Commission in the United Kingdom or the Community Conflict Resolution Mechanism in Singapore.

 

Please read the following carefully and ensure compliance thereto.

Rules

5.            All Speakers must be law undergraduates enrolled at any public or private university or College in Malaysia.

 

6.            All Speakers shall register online by 20 November 2014 on or before 28 November 2014 and pay the sum of RM10.00 to;

 

 “Brickfields Asia College Sdn Bhd”

Hong Leong Bank Account

A/C : 04800213048

 

Please email a copy of the receipt to mithila@bac.edu.my

 

7.            There shall be chosen from all Speakers taking part in this Speech Competition, a Champion and two runner-ups who shall then present their speech at the Public Forum to be held on 10 December 2014 at 7.30 pm at BAC - PJ Campus.

 

8.            All Speakers will be awarded a Certificate of Participation or such other certificate or award as deemed fit by the Organizers.

 

9.            Subject to the number of Speakers who have registered, there may be qualifying rounds held from 3 pm to 6 pm on 10 December 2014.

 

10.         All Speakers shall orally present in the English language an original speech (defined as having done own research and scripting).

 

11.         Speeches shall be for 10 minutes and will be timed from the first word spoken.

 

12.         It is the duty of the timekeeper or the Judge to time each Speech. Time signals will be given in the following manner :-

 

12.1      end of the 6^th minute         -  single ring of the bell;

12.2   end of the 9^th minute         -  double ring of the bell;

12.3   end of the 10^th minute       -  triple ring of the bell.

 

13.       All facts and figures used in the Speeches shall be accurate and all sources of quotes and references must be acknowledged by the Speaker.

 

14.       Plagiarism shall not be tolerated under any circumstances and will result in immediate disqualification. Even if subsequently discovered that a Speech or part or parts thereof was plagiarized, the Speaker shall forfeit and return any award or awards presented. The Organizers shall have the right to publicly announce the said forfeiture and demand the return of such award or awards.

 

15.       No abusive words or gestures shall be allowed and shall not be tolerated under any circumstances.

 

16.       All complaints regarding Rule violations may be made either orally or in writing to any of the Judges for the Competition.

 

17.       Speeches will be adjudicated by a minimum single Judge or an odd number of Judges at any level of the Speech Competition.

 

18.       Adjudication of Speeches will be based on the awards of 50 marks in two categories i.e. Content (60%) (as stated at Rule 4 herein above) and Manner which includes style, language, fluency and clarity (40%).

 

19.       All decision of the Judges shall be final and are not appealable.

 

20.       All speakers shall be personally responsible for the content of their speeches of the Organizers including PROHAM and BAC shall not be responsible or held liable for the content or conduct of the Speakers.

 

Guidelines

21.         There is no maximum or minimum age requirement for Speakers.

 

22.         Speakers may modify their Speech and present a completely different one for each level of competition should there be different levels of competition.

 

23.         Speakers will be attired in Court Chambers’ attire, please refer to http://www.selangorbar.org/content_dtl.php?id=25593.

 

24.         Speakers will not use visual aids or other electronic media.

 

25.         Speakers will not use gimmicks (defined as any device or stunt used to distract or solicit participation from the audience, such as clothing, costumes, props, singing, use of background music or musical instruments, or leading a cheer or chant). 

 

26.         Gestures (defined as subtle physical action that is meant to highlight or support a point and which shall not distract the audience and shall not require any participation from the audience) are allowed.

 

27.         Each Judge may orally state the strengths and weakness of each Speaker and the score given for that Speaker at the end of each level of competition, subject to the discretion of the Judges.

 

28.         If there is a tie on the marks given, then the Judges shall decide to either declare two joint champions or reevaluate or review the scores given.