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Press Statement No.2-2024_SUHAKAM Urges Government to Positively Assess All Recommendations Received from Malaysia’s 4th UPR

KUALA LUMPUR (26 JANUARY 2024) — SUHAKAM observed Malaysia’s Fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the 45th Session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva, Switzerland on 25 January 2024, and notes the range of human rights issues raised and recommendations received by Malaysia.

During the session, UN Member States recognised and welcomed the legal and institutional reforms implemented by the Government, which includes enhancement of rights protection for women, children and other vulnerable groups and strengthening of legislative reforms through the introduction of additional legal protections. A majority of UN Member States praised Malaysia for its decision to abolish the mandatory death penalty, which came into force on July 4, 2023. In addition, UN Member States also commended the Government’s efforts to empower SUHAKAM as the national human rights institution by providing the institutional strength required to effectively promote and protect human rights in Malaysia.

Among other key recommendations to Malaysia during the review included to abolish in total the death penalty; to increase the minimum legal age of marriage to 18 years old; to enhance the rights, protection and improvement of the well-being of older persons and persons with disabilities; to abolish corporal punishment in schools; to combat issues related to trafficking in persons; to develop a framework to protect refugees, undocumented and stateless persons;  to strengthen the social protection of vulnerable groups especially in rural areas; to ensure the conferment of Malaysian citizenship by Malaysian mothers to children born abroad; to repeal  or review security laws and laws that impede on civil liberties; accede to the remaining core  international human rights treaties and withdrawal of reservations to the treaties that have been  ratified.

Malaysia’s 4th UPR which was facilitated by Argentina, Eritrea and Vietnam who served as the ‘troikas’, witnessed reviews and recommendations from 130 United Nations (UN) Member States. SUHAKAM is of the view that the increased participation rate as compared to 111 UN Member States in Malaysia’s Third UPR in 2018 reflects a greater interest on human rights situation in Malaysia for this cycle.

At the national level, SUHAKAM hosted a hybrid forum in the Faculty of Law, University Malaya with a live streaming and panel session in conjunction with the session held in Geneva.  SUHAKAM moderated the panel discussion which has featured representatives from Pusat KOMAS (KOMAS), the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) South-East Asia Regional Office. SUHAKAM takes this opportunity to thank all participants for their contributions during the panel session which was aimed to raise awareness on the UPR process and served as a platform to discuss on critical human rights issues.

Having observed three previous cycles of the Malaysia’s UPR, SUHAKAM acknowledges the positive impacts it has made thus far. SUHAKAM calls upon the Government to positively assess the recommendations submitted and fulfil its commitment towards achieving the UPR’s objectives through a whole-of-society approach. SUHAKAM looks forward to the adoption of the outcome report on 31 January 2024, which will serve as a roadmap for Malaysia’s continued progress in upholding human rights and promoting inclusivity.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

26 January 2024

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SUHAKAM Gesa Kerajaan Menilai Secara Positif Semua Cadangan yang Diterima di UPR Keempat Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (26 JANUARI 2024) — Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) telah menjadi pemerhati Penilaian Berkala Sejagat (UPR) Malaysia ke-4 pada sesi ke-45 kumpulan kerja UPR di Geneva, Switzerland pada 25 Januari 2024. Pelbagai isu hak asasi manusia telah diketengahkan dan disyorkan kepada Malaysia.

Semasa sesi UPR dijalankan, negara-negara anggota Pertubuhan Bangsa -bangsa Bersatu (PBB) mengiktiraf dan menyambut baik reformasi undang-undang dan institusi yang dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan, termasuk peningkatan perlindungan hak untuk wanita, kanak-kanak dan kumpulan rentan lain termasuk pengukuhan pembaharuan perundangan melalui perlindungan undang-undang tambahan. Majoriti negara anggota PBB memuji usaha Malaysia memansuhkan hukuman mati mandatori, yang telah berkuat kuasa pada 4 Julai 2023. Selain itu, usaha kerajaan memperkasa SUHAKAM sebagai Institusi Hak Asasi Manusia Kebangsaan dengan pengukuhan yang diperlukan untuk mempromosikan dan melindungi hak asasi manusia di Malaysia turut dipuji.

Antara cadangan utama lain adalah termasuk memansuhkan sepenuhnya hukuman mati; meningkatkan umur minimum perkahwinan kepada 18 tahun; meningkatkan hak, perlindungan, dan penambahbaikan kesejahteraan warga emas dan orang kurang upaya,  memansuhkan hukuman rotan di sekolah; memerangi isu pemerdagangan manusia; membangunkan rangka kerja untuk melindungi pelarian, orang tanpa dokumen dan tanpa kewarganegaraan; mengukuhkan perlindungan sosial bagi kumpulan rentan terutama di kawasan luar bandar; memberikan  kewarganegaraan kepada anak-anak yang dilahirkan di luar negara oleh ibu warganegara Malaysia; mengkaji semula baki perjanjian hak asasi manusia antarabangsa utama dan menarik balik reservasi kepada Konvensyen yang telah diratifikasi.

UPR ke-4 Malaysia yang dikendalikan oleh Argentina, Eritrea, dan Vietnam yang berperanan sebagai ‘troika’ telah menyaksikan semakan dan cadangan daripada 130 Negara Anggota PBB. SUHAKAM berpendapat bahawa peningkatan kadar penyertaan berbanding dengan 111 Negara Anggota PBB dalam UPR ke-3 Malaysia pada tahun 2018 menunjukkan bahawa tumpuan diberikan kepada situasi hak asasi manusia di Malaysia pada kali ini.

Di peringkat nasional, SUHAKAM telah mengadakan satu forum hibrid di Fakulti Undang-Undang, Universiti Malaya diikuti dengan penstriman langsung  sesi yang diadakan di Geneva. Forum yang dikendalikan oleh SUHAKAM ini menampilkan wakil dari Pusat KOMAS (KOMAS), Pergerakan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), dan Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Hak Asasi Manusia (OHCHR) Asia Tenggara. Objektif forum ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai proses UPR dan merupakan platform untuk membincangkan isu-isu hak asasi manusia yang semakin meruncing. SUHAKAM mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua peserta atas penyertaan mereka dan pandangan yang diberikan semasa sesi tersebut dijalankan.

Sebagai pemerhati kepada 3 kitaran UPR Malaysia yang terdahulu, SUHAKAM mengakui akan impak positif proses penilaian ini. SUHAKAM menyeru Kerajaan untuk mengkaji secara positif kesemua cadangan yang diterima dan memenuhi komitmennya untuk mencapai objektif UPR melalui pendekatan yang menyeluruh kepada masyarakat. SUHAKAM menantikan penerimagunaan laporan hasil pada 31 Januari 2024, yang akan menjadi halatuju Malaysia untuk terus  memajukan hak asasi manusia dan mempromosikan keterangkuman.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

26 Januari 2024

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Poster WRITE up

A Year of Paradoxes: Human Rights Triumphs and Challenges in 2023

The year 2023, marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was a paradoxical period in human rights history. This pivotal year celebrated the strides made since the Declaration’s inception while also confronting the harsh realities of ongoing human rights crises across the globe.

Global Human Rights Challenges

Despite this milestone, we witnessed grave violations of human rights that shook the global community.  We condemn the attack and taking of hostages and killing of Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023 but the disproportionate attack and killings of more than 20000 civilians and the annihilation of Gaza by the full might of the Israeli army with full support from the United States is genocide.

The role of external powers, especially the United States, in the Gaza conflict has underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and hypocrisy on international human rights and its universality. The United States unconditional support for Israel with a caveat that “killing of civilians in Gaza should be in a gentle and kinder manner” or “civilian deaths should be minimised” is shocking untenable and so obviously skewered that Palestinian lives matter much less than Israeli ones.

This stance, coupled with the United States’ complicity in providing military aid and support, exposed a harsh truth: even powerful states blatantly condone or escalate human right abuses whenever convenient or suitable for their political purpose.

SUHAKAM continues to fully support and endorse the Government’s initiative in advocating for international action against Israel. SUHAKAM shall rally support from National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) globally, at both regional and international forums, and through any other feasible actions necessary to promote this objective.

This commitment underlines the importance of collaborative efforts and international solidarity in addressing and resolving human rights violations on a global scale.

Human Rights Progress in Malaysia

We welcome the Government’s efforts to address human rights issues domestically, such as significant legislative reforms which includes the repeal, amendment, and enactment of various laws. Notably, the Government abolished the mandatory death penalty, expanded the scope and ambit of Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and proceeded to decriminalise suicide.

Additionally, the introduction of an anti-stalking provision under Section 507A of the Penal Code and the emphasis on mental health protection are examples of meaningful progress made in 2023.

The Federal Court has also been proactive through judicial activism in the strengthening of rights pursuant to the Federal Constitution in striking out ruling that Section 498 of the Penal Code which stated that enticing married women was unconstitutional as it violated the principle of equality.

Numerous decisions of the Courts in upholding citizenship rights of children that had long been neglected and ignored by the Government, have now been restored their citizenship as provided for under the Federal Constitution. We urge the Government to steadfastly proceed with institutional reforms especially in respect of citizenship provisions to ensure that our children would not be “punished” under the guise of national security.

The restructuring and separation of the role of the Public Prosecutor is ongoing and reforms to all the major enforcement agencies including the prisons must be carried out to enhance accountability and transparency.

The Government must ensure that there will be strict adherence to the rule of law and proceed to amend or repeal various provisions the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and The Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA) to ensure that rights of accused persons are protected to the full extent of the law.         

Institutional Reforms and Ambitious Goals

The amendments to SUHAKAM Act were a significant stride towards ensuring that SUHAKAM’s operation will be carried out independently and with integrity. This amendment underscores the Government’s dedication to human rights and reflects a commitment to inclusive and diverse representation such as gender balance and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Commission. Through the amendment, SUHAKAM aims to better safeguard and promote human rights within Malaysia, ensuring that all societal groups are adequately represented, and their rights are duly protected. Furthermore, the Bill also aims to strengthen the Children Commissioner’s role by institutionalizing and expanding the Office of Children’s Commissioner (OCC) within SUHAKAM.

As a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in Malaysia, it is important to maintaining a team of Commissioners who are not only knowledgeable but also deeply committed their work towards the protection and promotion of the rights of marginalised communities and vulnerable groups such as children, women, and persons with disabilities.

The Road Ahead for SUHAKAM

Looking ahead to 2024, SUHAKAM continues to focus on laying the groundwork for Malaysia’s accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICCPED), the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), and the 1951 Refugee Convention. Our goal for 2024 includes intensifying our efforts to address poverty among teenage girls and preparing white papers on climate change, prison reform, and refugees. We acknowledge the importance of community engagement in highlighting human rights awareness, and hence we will continue our work with communities and monitoring of all detention places.

At the international level, SUHAKAM, in collaboration with fellow Southeast Asian National Human Rights Institutions, will move forward with initiative to establish a public inquiry panel which has been designed to tackle cross-border human rights challenges effectively within the region.

SUHAKAM pledged to remain steadfast in our commitment to address the issues faced by all vulnerable groups.  We are also looking forward to delving into and exploring emerging issues, such as the interplay between digital rights, technology, and their impact on human rights.

Despite the complexities and challenges encountered in 2023, SUHAKAM would like to extend our greatest gratitude for the unwavering support to all of our stakeholders. Their commitment in creating a safer environment for human rights protection, both in Malaysia and abroad, remains, offering a beacon of hope as we grapple with intricate human rights issues in Malaysia and also worldwide. As we move into 2024 and beyond, SUHAKAM’s resolve to stand firm in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world underscores their dedication to protecting and upholding human rights for all.

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Press Statement No.1-2024_SUHAKAM Commited to Support South Africa in ICJ Case Against Israel, Urges Malaysian Intervention

KUALA LUMPUR (15 JANUARY 2024) — SUHAKAM welcomes the Government’s support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

We urge the Government to intervene in the deliberations at the ICJ. Malaysia, a state party to the Genocide Convention, must commit and ensure that Israel is held accountable for the current atrocities in Gaza and for the decades of abuse violations and dehumanising of the Palestinians. We also call for the Government to review its reservation to Article 9 of the Genocide Convention, particularly focusing on the prevention and punishment of the crime.

The Government must reach out to all our allies within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other regional bodies to intervene or support the right of Palestinians to statehood and all it entails. We note that South Africa is being supported by around 20 countries and opposed by among others, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada.

In line with our commitment to foster solidarity among national human rights institutions, SUHAKAM commits to support the South African Human Rights Commission.  SUHAKAM calls upon the international community to lend their support to South Africa’s case, highlighting the importance of ensuring justice, human rights, and accountability. SUHAKAM hopes the case will eventually find a peaceful resolution to the conflicts in the region.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)15 January 2024

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SUHAKAM Komited Menyokong Afrika Selatan Heret Israel ke ICJ, Gesa Campur Tangan Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (15 JANUARI 2024) — Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menyambut baik sokongan Kerajaan Malaysia kepada Afrika Selatan yang telah mengheret Israel di Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ), yang merupakan suatu badan kehakiman utama Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu.

SUHAKAM menggesa kerajaan untuk turut campur tangan dalam perbincangan di ICJ. Sebagai negara pihak kepada Konvensyen Genosid, Malaysia harus memberi komitmen dan memastikan Israel bertanggungjawab ke atas kekejaman di Gaza dan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia dan penyeksaan yang tidak berperikemanusiaan terhadap rakyat Palestin sejak berdekad lamanya. SUHAKAM juga menyeru agar Kerajaan menimbang semula reservasi kepada Perkara 9 Konvensyen Genosid yang khususnya menekankan mengenai pencegahan dan hukuman jenayah.

Kerajaan perlu bersepakat dengan semua sekutu dalam Pertubuhan Negara-negara Asia Tenggara (ASEAN) dan badan-badan serantau lain untuk turut campur tangan atau menyokong hak rakyat Palestin dalam mendapatkan kedaulatan negara mereka. Afrika Selatan kini mendapat sokongan kira-kira 20 buah negara dan antara negara yang memberikan tentangan adalah Amerika Syarikat, United Kingdom, Jerman dan Kanada.

Selaras dengan komitmen untuk memupuk solidariti dalam kalangan institusi hak asasi manusia kebangsaan, SUHAKAM dengan ini komited menyokong Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Afrika Selatan. SUHAKAM menyeru masyarakat antarabangsa untuk terus memberi sokongan kepada Afrika Selatan dan menggariskan akan kepentingan untuk memastikan keadilan, hak asasi manusia, dan kebertanggungjawaban. SUHAKAM berharap agar isu ini akan menemui satu titik penyelesaian damai kepada konflik di rantau tersebut.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

15 Januari 2024

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