Monthly Archives: November 2024

KUALA LUMPUR (25 NOVEMBER 2024) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) voices its profound concern over the recent detentions of individuals associated with Global Ikhwan Sdn. Bhd. (GISB) under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). The use of SOSMA, designed to address serious national security threats, appears disproportionate in this case, which concerns alleged offences pertaining to deviant religious activities and abuses of children rather than offences pertaining to any serious criminal activities.

SUHAKAM underscores that invoking SOSMA’s Draconian provisions risks eroding Malaysia’s commitment to justice, the Rule of Law and fundamental human rights. This action sets a troubling precedent, as it could ‘justify’ the use of national security laws in instances that do not meet the situational gravity that SOSMA was intended to address. Such an approach is highly inappropriate given the efficacy of the Criminal Procedure Code to deal with the alleged offences mentioned, which require due process within an open and accountable legal system.

Whilst SUHAKAM acknowledges the government’s broader efforts towards legal reform, this particular application of SOSMA in the GISB case sends an inconsistent and concerning message. It risks undermining public confidence in the justice system and could be perceived as distasteful and inconsistent with the reformist trajectory.

The Commission calls on the government to fulfil its obligations under international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which mandate safeguards against arbitrary detention and uphold the presumption of innocence. SUHAKAM also urges authorities to utilize transparent judicial processes, charge individuals appropriately under the Criminal Procedure Code and ensure their access to fair legal representation.

To sustain public confidence and to uphold the integrity of the justice system, SUHAKAM recommends a thorough review of SOSMA, emphasizing the need for a fair transparent and just provisions and stringent legal oversight mechanisms, so as to have effective safeguard against any abuses of the law. Protecting national security must not come at the expense of undermining human rights.

SUHAKAM remains steadfast in promoting a justice system that respects human dignity, transparency and accountability, and it reiterates that the rights and welfare of all individuals must be protected within the bounds of the fundamental liberties as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and the Rule of Law.

-END-

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Date: 25 November 2024

STRONGER SENTENCE NEEDED FOR CHILD ABUSE OFFENDERS

KUALA LUMPUR (12 NOVEMBER 2024) – The Children’s Commissioner (CC) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia is appalled at the recent news revealing that a young mother and her two friends were only sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment and fined RM10,000 each by the Sessions Court for committing child abuse against the young mother’s 3-year-old son.

The inadequacy of the sentence – 14 days out of the 20-year maximum imprisonment term stipulated under Section 31 of the Child Act 2001 for an offence that has become a matter of public interest – is profoundly inadequate and fails to convey society’s abhorrence for such acts. While acknowledging that the mother is a youthful offender, the aims of retribution and deterrence in sentencing must be upheld, especially when the offence is serious and targets a defenceless victim.

Reports indicate that the child was confined in a cage by the three offenders, as the mother claimed she needed to go to work. The child was also allegedly kicked by the mother’s two friends while the mother looked on. The boy was found to have sustained injuries to his abdomen, eyebrows, limbs, and back.

The CC believes that this abuse was inhumane and calls on the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) to file a Notice of Appeal immediately to send a clear message that child abuse is intolerable. The CC also urges the relevant authorities to follow up on the welfare of the child to ensure his best interests are safeguarded. The CC recommends that the child be placed with a foster family familiar to him and that the mother undergo at least six months of counselling to address her inability to provide appropriate care for her son.

The CC would like to remind every stakeholder involved in children’s welfare of the words of the judges in the Court of Appeal case DPP vs. Asmarani bt Ghazali: “When dealing with children, there can be no room for error or failure. Children are vulnerable and defenceless and require society and the law to safeguard their interests, which must not be disregarded or compromised due to mistakes or misjudgments by adults.”

-END-

Dr Farah Nini Dusuki
Children’s Commissioner 
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
12 November 2024

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HUKUMAN LEBIH BERAT DIPERLUKAN TERHADAP PENDERA KANAK-KANAK

KUALA LUMPUR (12 NOVEMBER 2024) – Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak (CC) Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia mempersoalkan hukuman penjara 14 hari dan denda sebanyak RM10,000 setiap seorang yang diputuskan oleh Mahkamah Sesyen ke atas seorang ibu muda dan dua rakannya yang didapati bersalah mendera anak lelaki ibu muda tersebut yang berusia 3 tahun, seperti yang dilaporkan akhbar semalam.

Hukuman penjara selama 14 hari daripada tempoh maksimum penjara selama 20 tahun yang diperuntukkan di bawah Seksyen 31 Akta Kanak-Kanak 2001 untuk kesalahan yang telah menjadi isu kepentingan awam tersebut, adalah sangat ringan dan gagal menterjemahkan rasa jengkel masyarakat terhadap perbuatan pesalah yang kejam. Kita semua memahami bahawa ibu tersebut ialah seorang pesalah muda, namun tujuan pembalasan dan pencegahan dalam hukuman hendaklah ditegakkan, terutamanya sekali apabila kesalahan itu serius dan menyasarkan mangsa yang tidak berdaya.

Laporan menunjukkan bahawa kanak-kanak tersebut telah dikurung dalam sangkar kerana ibunya mendakwa terpaksa berbuat demikian untuk pergi bekerja. Kanak-kanak juga telah ditendang oleh dua orang rakan ibunya sementara ibunya hanya melihat perbuatan tersebut. Kanak-kanak itu didapati mengalami kecederaan pada bahagian perut, kening, beberapa anggota badan, dan belakang.

CC menegaskan bahawa perbuatan mereka adalah tidak berperikemanusiaan dan menyeru Timbalan Pendakwa Raya (TPR) untuk memfailkan Notis Rayuan dengan segera bagi memberi mesej yang jelas kepada masyarakat bahawa penderaan kanak-kanak adalah sama sekali tidak boleh diterima. CC juga menggesa pihak berkuasa yang berkaitan untuk membuat susulan lanjut berhubung kebajikan kanak-kanak tersebut bagi memastikan kepentingan terbaiknya dilindungi. CC mengesyorkan supaya kanak-kanak tersebut ditempatkan dengan keluarga angkat yang dikenalinya, manakala ibunya pula perlu menjalani sekurang-kurangnya enam bulan kaunseling untuk menangani kelemahannya dalam memberikan penjagaan yang terbaik terhadap kanak- kanak.

CC ingin mengingatkan semua pemegang taruh yang terlibat dalam menjaga kebajikan kanak-kanak akan kata-kata para hakim bijaksana dalam kes Mahkamah Rayuan DPP vs. Asmarani bt Ghazali: “Apabila berurusan dengan kanak-kanak, tidak boleh ada ruang untuk kesilapan atau kegagalan. Kanak-kanak adalah golongan yang lemah dan tidak berdaya serta memerlukan masyarakat dan undang-undang untuk melindungi kepentingan mereka, yang mana ia tidak boleh diketepikan atau dikompromi oleh kesalahan dan pertimbangan sambil lewa oleh orang dewasa.”

-TAMAT-

Dr Farah Nini Dusuki
Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak
Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
12 November 2024