PS

(OCC) Press Statement No. 1-2021_Alleged Rape in Police Lock-up

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (18 JANUARY 2021)    –    The Children’s Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is appalled with the recent news of a 16 year-old girl who was allegedly raped by a male detainee in the lock-up at a police station in Sarawak.

The aforementioned case raises concerns on the Government’s lack of measures and mechanisms to protect children, even in detention. According to the Child Act 2001, a child is defined as those below the age of 18 years. The Children’s Commissioner would also like to emphasise that Malaysia, as a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), has the obligations to undertake the necessary actions to protect children’s rights.

Based on the information received from SUHAKAM’s office in Sarawak, the girl has lodged a police report of the unfortunate incident. It is of utmost importance that the investigation be carried out in the best interest of the child as such incident should not have occurred especially when the child was under the supervision of the law enforcement officers. More often than not, when a child comes into conflict with the law, there is a tendency to forget the fact that children are first and foremost victims and fundamental care to protect them is highly necessary.

While I understand that this case is now under investigation, I am of the view that the police should take serious and immediate actions to address this matter including by reviewing its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the lock-up and improving its facilities such as the CCTVs to ensure children’s rights are protected. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) will continue to follow up on this matter and make the necessary recommendations to ensure the right of the child and their safety are protected.

-END-

Professor Dato’ Noor Aziah Hj. Mohd Awal

Children’s Commissioner

18 January 2021

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (18 JANUARI 2021)   –   Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak, Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) merakamkan rasa dukacita dan kecewa dengan berita yang dilaporkan baru-baru ini berkenaan seorang kanak-kanak perempuan berusia 16 tahun yang mendakwa dirogol oleh seorang tahanan lelaki di salah sebuah lokap balai polis di Sarawak.

Kes tersebut menimbulkan kebimbangan terhadap kurangnya pelaksanaan dan mekanisma perlindungan oleh Kerajaan untuk melindungi kanak-kanak, termasuk kanak-kanak dalam tahanan. Menurut Akta Kanak-Kanak 2001, kanak-kanak ditakrifkan sebagai seseorang yang berumur di bawah 18 tahun. Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak juga ingin menekankan bahawa Malaysia, sebagai sebuah Negara Pihak bagi Konvensyen mengenai Hak Kanak-Kanak (CRC), mempunyai kewajipan untuk melaksanakan tindakan yang diperlukan bagi melindungi hak kanak-kanak.

Berdasarkan maklumat yang diterima daripada pejabat SUHAKAM di Sarawak, kanak-kanak perempuan itu telah membuat laporan polis berkenaan insiden malang tersebut. Adalah amat penting bagi satu siasatan dijalankan demi kepentingan kanak-kanak kerana kejadian seperti ini tidak seharusnya berlaku, terutamanya apabila kanak-kanak tersebut berada di bawah pengawasan pegawai penguatkuasa undang-undang. Acap kali, kanak-kanak yang berkonflik dengan undang-undang ada kecenderungan untuk dilupakan, walhal pada hakikatnya, kanak-kanak adalah mangsa dan penjagaan asas untuk melindungi mereka amat diperlukan.

Saya difahamkan bahawa kes ini sedang dalam siasatan, saya berpendapat bahawa pihak polis hendaklah mengambil tindakan serius dan segera untuk menangani perkara tersebut termasuk mengkaji semula semua garis panduan (SOP) bagi lokap dan mempertingkatkan fasilitinya seperti kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) bagi memastikan hak kanak-kanak dilindungi. Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak (OCC) akan terus membuat pemantauan susulan terhadap isu ini dan akan memanjangkan cadangan yang sesuai dalam memastikan hak serta keselamatan kanak-kanak dilindungi.

-TAMAT-

Professor Dato’ Noor Aziah Hj. Mohd Awal

Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak

18 Januari 2021

Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my

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PS

Press Statement No.2 -2021 Proclamation of Emergency

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (13 JANUARY 2021)   –   The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its concern on the Proclamation of Emergency announced recently by the Government, which is currently effective from 11 January 2021 until 1 August 2021.

The Proclamation of Emergency, which was issued to contain COVID-19 is unjustifiable, since the Government has just imposed the movement control orders from 13 until 26 January 2021. SUHAKAM notes that the number of COVID-19 cases has been on the rise since the past few months. However, the current measures undertaken by the Government including the movement control orders and strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) by everyone may be sufficient to contain the pandemic. 

SUHAKAM also notes that during the Emergency period, Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies will be prorogued (suspended) until further notice. SUHAKAM stresses that Parliament is the central institution of democracy and it is a body entrusted with the oversight function to ensure that the Government is fully accountable to the people. In view of the aforementioned announcement, SUHAKAM is concerned about the lack of check and balance on the concentration of executive powers of the Government during the period of Emergency. 

In this regard, SUHAKAM urges the Government to uphold their duty and responsibility to respect the rule of law and continue to protect the fundamental liberties of the citizens as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution in its efforts to contain the pandemic. SUHAKAM emphasises that the state of Emergency should be guided by human rights principles and should not be used for any purpose other than to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. SUHAKAM also calls upon the Government to provide timely and effective measures to support the enjoyment of core economic and social rights of the people, particularly the vulnerable communities affected by the state of Emergency and the movement control orders. These measures include the provision of support for livelihood, food, education, social protection and health.

-END-

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

13 January 2021

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (13 JANUARI 2021)   –   Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menzahirkan kebimbangan berkenaan pengumuman Proklamasi Darurat oleh Kerajaan baru-baru ini yang bermula daripada 11 Januari 2021 hingga 1 Ogos 2021.

Proklamasi Darurat yang dikeluarkan bagi membendung wabak COVID-19 tidak boleh dijustifikasikan memandangkan Kerajaan baru sahaja melaksanakan Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan daripada 13 hingga 26 Januari 2021. SUHAKAM mengambil maklum bahawa terdapat peningkatan kes COVID-19 sejak beberapa bulan ini. Walau bagaimanapun, langkah-langkah yang telah diambil oleh Kerajaan termasuk Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan dan pematuhan yang ketat terhadap Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) oleh rakyat dilihat mencukupi untuk membendung penularan wabak tersebut. 

SUHAKAM turut mengambil maklum bahawa dalam tempoh Darurat, Parlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri akan ditangguhkan (digantung) sehingga dimaklumkan kelak. SUHAKAM menekankan bahawa Parlimen adalah institusi utama demokrasi dan merupakan badan yang diamanahkan dengan fungsi pengawasan bagi memastikan Kerajaan bertanggungjawab sepenuhnya terhadap rakyat. Melihat kepada pengumuman ini, SUHAKAM bimbang tentang ketiadaan semak imbang terhadap penumpuan kuasa eksekutif Kerajaan sepanjang tempoh Darurat.

Dalam hal ini, SUHAKAM menggesa Kerajaan agar mendukung tugas dan tanggungjawab mereka dalam menghormati kedaulatan undang-undang dan terus melindungi kebebasan asasi rakyat yang dijamin di bawah Perlembagaan Persekutuan dalam usaha mengawal wabak ini. SUHAKAM menekankan bahawa Darurat seharusnya berpandukan prinsip hak asasi manusia dan tidak patut digunakan untuk tujuan lain selain daripada menangani wabak COVID-19. SUHAKAM turut menyeru Kerajaan untuk mengatur langkah-langkah yang efektif bagi menyokong pemenuhan hak ekonomi dan sosial rakyat terutamanya golongan rentan yang terjejas oleh Darurat dan perintah kawalan pergerakan. Langkah-langkah ini termasuk peruntukan sokongan kelangsungan hidup, makanan, pendidikan, perlindungan sosial dan kesihatan.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

13 Januari 2021

Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my

PS

Press Statement No. 1 – 2021 Freedom of Association

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (9 JANUARY 2021)   –   The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its concerns regarding the recent news reports on the Registrar of Societies (RoS)’s rejection of the application for registration by both PEJUANG and the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) as political parties.

SUHAKAM stresses that the freedom of association is a fundamental liberty guaranteed to every citizen under Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution and the same rights enjoyed under Article 20(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  In this regard, SUHAKAM is of the view that there is a need to review the Societies Act 1966 as it contains provisions which may be deemed as inconsistent with the principles of human rights, particularly the right to freedom of association.

The Societies Act 1966 is an Act enacted to govern matters relating to the registration of societies. In accordance with the Act, matters relating to the registration of societies are under the purview of the RoS. In the past, SUHAKAM has made recommendations on reforms to be made to the Societies Act which included, among others, the following:  the proportionate exercise of the powers by the RoS for the purpose of the said Act, the review on the absolute discretion of the Minister to declare a society unlawful, the provision of a specific timeframe for the RoS’ decision on a registration application and communication to the applicant on the decision, and the obligation for RoS to furnish reasons for declining or not responding to an application for registration of associations.

Aside from the recommendations above, SUHAKAM proposes that the registration of societies including political parties be administered by an independent entity instead of a government department. This would further guarantee the impartiality and neutrality in the administration of matters relating to the registration of societies. 

In line with the Federal Constitution and the spirit of democracy, SUHAKAM calls upon the Government to review the Societies Act 1966 and SUHAKAM stands ready to assist the Government on this matter. In the interim, SUHAKAM hopes that the RoS carries out its functions and duties in a fair-minded and human rights compliant approach.

-END-

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

9 January 2021

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (9 JANUARI 2021)   –   Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menzahirkan kebimbangan terhadap laporan media baru-baru ini berhubung tindakan Jabatan Pendaftaran Pertubuhan (RoS) menolak permohonan pendaftaran Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (PEJUANG) dan Parti Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia (MUDA) sebagai parti politik.

SUHAKAM menekankan bahawa kebebasan berpersatuan adalah kebebasan asas yang dijamin kepada setiap rakyat di bawah Perkara 10(1)(c) Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan hak yang sama dinikmati di bawah Perkara 20(1) Perisytiharan Hak Asasi Manusia Sejagat (UDHR).  Sehubungan itu, SUHAKAM berpandangan bahawa terdapat keperluan untuk mengkaji semula Akta Pertubuhan 1966 kerana ia mengandungi peruntukan-peruntukan yang boleh dianggap tidak selaras dengan prinsip hak asasi manusia terutamanya hak berpersatuan.

Akta Pertubuhan 1966 merupakan Akta yang digubal untuk mentadbir urus perkara berkaitan dengan pendaftaran pertubuhan. Menurut Akta ini, hal ehwal berkaitan pendaftaran pertubuhan adalah di bawah bidang kuasa RoS. Sebelum ini, SUHAKAM telah mengesyorkan agar pembaharuan dibuat ke atas Akta Pertubuhan dan antaranya termasuk pelaksanaan kuasa secara wajar oleh RoS untuk tujuan Akta tersebut, kajian semula terhadap budi bicara mutlak Menteri untuk mengisytiharkan suatu pertubuhan itu sebagai pertubuhan yang menyalahi undang-undang, peruntukan tempoh masa yang tertentu untuk RoS membuat keputusan terhadap suatu permohonan pendaftaran dan makluman kepada pemohon berhubung  keputusan tersebut, dan kewajipan RoS untuk memberikan alasan bagi penolakan atau tidak memberi maklum balas terhadap permohonan pendaftaran pertubuhan. 

Selain daripada syor-syor yang dinyatakan di atas, SUHAKAM mencadangkan agar pendaftaran pertubuhan termasuk parti politik ditadbir urus oleh entiti bebas dan bukan jabatan Kerajaan. Ini akan turut menjamin kesaksamaan dan sifat berkecuali dalam tadbir urus hal ehwal berkaitan pendaftaran pertubuhan. 

Selaras dengan Perlembagaan Persekutan dan semangat demokrasi, SUHAKAM menyeru agar Kerajaan mengkaji semula Akta Pertubuhan 1966 dan SUHAKAM sentiasa bersedia untuk membantu Kerajaan dalam perkara ini. Buat masa ini, SUHAKAM berharap agar RoS menjalankan fungsi dan tugasnya berdasarkan pendekatan yang adil dan selaras dengan hak asasi manusia.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

9 Januari 2021

Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my