PS

Press Statement No. 9- 2023_Stateless Children Deprived of the Right to Education – A Call For Action / Kenyataan Media No.9-2023_ Seruan Untuk Tindakan – Kanak-Kanak Tanpa Warganegara Tidak Mendapat Hak Kepada Pendidikan

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (21 MARCH 2023) –The Children’s Commissioner, Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, has expressed concern over the recent announcement by the Ministry of Education (MOE) regarding the enrolment requirements for the 2024/2025 academic session. The MOE’s directive stipulates that only Malaysian citizen’s children born between 2.1.2017 and 1.1.2018 are eligible to apply for enrolment, implying that non-Malaysian children are excluded from this right.

This decision contradicts the Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC), which guarantees the right to education for all children regardless of their legal status or nationality. Access to education is a basic human right and essential for building inclusive societies, promoting peace, and achieving sustainable development.

Despite the Ministry’s aspiration for all children in Malaysia to have access to education, as outlined in their 2018 Circular No. (3), this decision runs counter to that goal and the principles of the CRC.

The Children’s Commissioner urgently calls upon government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure that all children, regardless of their legal status, have access to education in government schools. Furthermore, the Commissioner invites civil society organizations, the private sector, and individuals to join in advocating for the rights of stateless children and promoting their access to education. Together, we can create a better future for all children.

-END-

Dr Farah Nini Dusuki

Children’s Commissioner

21 March 2023

————–

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (21 MAC 2023) – Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak, Dr. Farah Nini Dusuki, menyatakan kebimbangan terhadap pengumuman oleh Kementerian Pendidikan (KPM) mengenai syarat pendaftaran kemasukan sekolah untuk sesi akademik 2024/2025. Arahan KPM tersebut menetapkan hanya kanak-kanak warganegara Malaysia yang dilahirkan antara 2.1.2017 sehingga 1.1.2018 layak memohon untuk kemasukan sekolah, telah mengecualikan secara tidak langsung kanak-kanak bukan warganegara Malaysia.

Pengumuman ini bercanggah dengan Konvensyen Hak Kanak-Kanak 1989 (CRC), yang menjamin hak pendidikan bagi semua kanak-kanak tanpa mengira status atau kewarganegaraan mereka. Akses kepada pendidikan adalah hak asasi manusia yang penting dalam membina masyarakat yang inklusif, mempromosikan keamanan, dan mencapai pembangunan mampan.

Walaupun menjadi asprasi KPM bagi memastikan semua kanak-kanak di Malaysia mendapat peluang pendidikan sebagaimana yang terdapat di dalam Surat Siaran Bilangan 3 Tahun 2018, pengumuman ini dilihat bercanggah dengan aspirasi tersebut serta prinsip CRC.

Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak menggesa pihak kerajaan dan pihak berkuasa yang berkaitan untuk mengambil langkah segera bagi memastikan semua kanak-kanak tanpa mengira status, mempunyai akses kepada pendidikan di sekolah kerajaan. Organisasi masyarakat sivil, sektor swasta, dan individu turut diseru agar bersama-sama memperjuangkan hak kanak-kanak tanpa warganegara dan mempromosikan akses pendidikan kepada mereka. Usaha dari semua pihak dapat membina masa depan yang lebih baik kepada semua kanak-kanak.

-TAMAT-

Dr Farah Nini Dusuki

Pesuruhjaya Kanak-Kanak

21 Mac 2023

JOB

Job Vacancy at SUHAKAM (Assistant Secretary) / Jawatan Kosong di SUHAKAM (Penolong Setiausaha)

  1. ASSISTANT SECRETARY (OFFICER) GRADE 41 – Complaints and Monitoring Division (CMD)
  2. ASSISTANT SECRETARY (OFFICER) GRADE 41 – Law & International Treaties Division (LITD)

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is an independent Commission, established by the Malaysian Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597), for the promotion and protection of human rights in Malaysia.

SUHAKAM is looking for a passionate, dedicated human rights advocate who can join us and take human rights to the next level.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their letter of application and provide their complete resume/curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates, copy of Identity Card, employer reference letter and a passport size photograph (non-returnable) before or on 31 March 2023 (Friday) to:

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  1. PENOLONG SETIAUSAHA GRED 41 – Bahagian Aduan dan Pemantauan (CMD)
  2. PENOLONG SETIAUSAHA GRED 41 – Bahagian Perundangan dan Triti Antarabangsa (LITD)

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) ialah sebuah Suruhanjaya bebas yang ditubuhkan oleh Parlimen Malaysia di bawah Akta Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia 1999 (Akta 597) untuk mempromosi dan melindungi hak asasi manusia di Malaysia.

SUHAKAM sedang mencari pejuang hak asasi manusia yang bersemangat dan berdedikasi untuk menyertai kami dan membawa hak asasi manusia ke peringkat seterusnya.

Calon-calon yang berminat dipelawa untuk mengemukakan surat permohonan beserta resume lengkap, salinan sijil akademik, salinan Kad Pengenalan, surat rujukan majikan dan sekeping gambar berukuran pasport (tidak akan dipulangkan) sebelum atau pada 31 Mac 2023 (Jumaat) kepada:

Setiausaha
Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 11, Menara TH Perdana,
1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Laman web: www.suhakam.org.my
(U.P.: Unit Pengurusan Sumber Manusia)

PS

Press Statement No. 8- 2023_Launch of the SUHAKAM’s Research Report ‘Human Rights and Statelessness in Peninsular Malaysia’ / Kenyataan Media No.8-2023_Pelancaran Laporan Penyelidikan Suhakam Hak Asasi Manusia dan Tiada Kewarganegaraan di Semenanjung Malaysia

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (14 MARCH 2023) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) held a launch of The SUHAKAM’s Research Report ‘Human Rights and Statelessness in Peninsular Malaysia’ as part of its initiatives to produce evidence-based findings and recommendations on the issue of statelessness.

Since 2015, SUHAKAM has received 1,291 complaints related to statelessness. While there have been significant efforts to understand statelessness from a legal and broader macro perspective, less attention has been paid to understanding the micro, intersectional lived experiences of stateless persons. To bridge this gap, SUHAKAM appointed Assist. Prof. Dr Melati Nungsari in 2021 to conduct a comprehensive study assessing the legal, policy, administrative, institutional frameworks, and processes that impact access to citizenship in Malaysia.

In her special address, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said acknowledged the seriousness of statelessness as a global issue that hinders development and nation-building. She expressed particular concern for stateless children’s access to basic rights, emphasized the importance of taking a strategic approach to address the issue, and called for collaboration between all stakeholders in Malaysia.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Ministers’ Department (Law and Institutional Reform) YB Ramkarpal Singh A/L Karpal Singh delivered the keynote address and emphasized Malaysia’s membership in the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2022 to 2024, bearing a greater responsibility to ensure pledges and commitments made at the international level are translated into concrete action at the domestic level, for genuine improvement and enjoyment of human rights for all. The government is moving forward in addressing the issue of statelessness to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals target and in line with the “Masyarakat Madani” concept, ensuring that “no one is left behind”.

A forum moderated by Mr Ragunath Kesavan, SUHAKAM’s Commissioner, featured esteemed panelists from various backgrounds and expertise Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Hj. Shad Saleem Faruqi, Tunku Abdul Rahman Chair as Professor of Constitutional Law, Ms. Jasmine Wong Senior Associate from Mah Weng Kwai & Associates, Prof Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Vice Chair of SUHAKAM, and Ms. Maalini Ramalo, Director for Social Protection at Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas Malaysia (DHRRA Malaysia). The forum discussed the legal and administrative barriers faced at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), in particular, the National Registration Department (NRD) as the ultimate authority in granting citizenship.  This also includes improvement of policy and laws, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in application, time frame of application and way forward. The research report will be distributed in hardcopy to members of parliament, government agencies, academics, and non-governmental organizations.

The report can be accessed here:

https://suhakam.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SUHAKAM_Statelessness.pdf

-END-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Chairman

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

14 March 2023

————–

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (14 MAC 2023) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) melancarkan Laporan Penyelidikan ‘Hak Asasi Manusia dan Tiada Kewarganegaraan di Semenanjung Malaysia’ sebagai salah satu inisiatif untuk mengenengahkan syor serta hasil kajian berasaskan fakta mengenai isu tiada kewarganegaraan.

SUHAKAM telah menerima sebanyak 1,291 aduan mengenai isu tiada kewarganegaraan sejak tahun 2015. Pelbagai usaha untuk mendalami isu ini dari perspektif perundangan dan makro yang lebih luas, walaubagaimanapun, kurang perhatian diberikan kepada pengalaman hidup individu tiada kewarganegaraan tersebut. Untuk merapatkan jurang berhubung isu ini, SUHAKAM melantik Prof. Madya Dr Melati Nungsari pada tahun 2021 untuk menjalankan kajian mendalam bagi menilai dari aspek perundangan, dasar, pentadbiran, kerangka institusi dan proses yang memberi kesan kepada akses kewarganegaraan di Malaysia.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Parlimen dan Undang-undang) YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said dalam ucapan khas beliau, bersetuju bahawa isu tiada kewarganegaraan adalah isu global yang serius yang menghalang pembangunan dan pembinaan sesebuah negara bangsa. Beliau turut menyatakan kebimbangan mengenai isu akses dan hak asasi manusia golongan kanak-kanak tiada warganegara, serta menekankan kepentingan untuk mengambil pendekatan strategik bagi menangani isu tersebut seterusnya menyeru kerjasama antara semua pihak berkepentingan di Malaysia.

Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang-undang dan Pembaharuan Institusi) YB Ramkarpal Singh A/L Karpal Singh menyampaikan ucaptama beliau dengan menekankan peranan Malaysia sebagai salah sebuah ahli anggota di dalam Majlis Hak Asasi Manusia Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB) bagi penggal 2022 hingga 2024. Tanggungjawab yang berat dalam memastikan ikrar dan komitmen yang dibuat di peringkat antarabangsa diterjemahkan kepada tindakan yang kukuh di peringkat domestik, untuk penambahbaikan agar dapat hak asasi manusia dapat dinikmati untuk semua. Kerajaan akan meneruskan usaha menangani isu tiada kewarganegaraan bagi mencapai sasaran Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan seiring dengan konsep “Masyarakat Madani”, dalam memastikan “tiada sesiapa yang tertinggal”.

Encik Ragunath Kesavan, Pesuruhjaya SUHAKAM mengendalikan forum bersama ahli-ahli panel termasuk Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr Hj. Shad Saleem Faruqi, Pemegang Kerusi Tunku Abdul Rahman dan Pensyarah Undang-undang Perlembagaan, Puan Jasmine Wong, Penasihat Kanan dari Mah Weng Kwai & Associates, Prof Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Naib Pengerusi SUHAKAM dan Cik Maalini Ramalo, Pengarah Perlindungan Sosial di Persatuan Jaringan Pembangunan Manusia Luar Bandar Malaysia (DHRRA Malaysia).

Forum tersebut membincangkan mengenai karenah birokrasi di peringkat Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) dan Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) yang memegang kuasa mutlak dalam menentukan status kewarganegaraan. Selain itu, perbincangan turut mengandungi isu mengenai penambahbaikan polisi dan undang-undang, tempoh masa dan prosedur operasi standard permohonan serta langkah yang perlu dibuat pada masa hadapan.  Laporan kajian akan dikemukakan kepada ahli parlimen, agensi kerajaan, ahli akademik dan organisasi bukan kerajaan.

Laporan kajian boleh diakses melalui pautan:

https://suhakam.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SUHAKAM_Statelessness.pdf

-TAMAT-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Pengerusi

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

14 Mac 2023

PS

Press Statement No. 7-2023_ SUHAKAM Committed to Assisting the Government to Implement Human Rights Reforms in a Timely Manner / Kenyataan Media No.7-2023_ SUHAKAM Komited Bantu Kerajaan Laksana Reformasi Hak Asasi Manusia Dalam Tempoh Terdekat

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (10 MARCH 2023) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) fully supports the Government’s move in proposing law reforms in two major areas of concern to us, the proposal to decriminalise minor drug offences by providing rehabilitation and in the sphere of education, secondary education would be compulsory for all children.

In line with SUHAKAM’s proposal on prison reform, the proposed drug law reform would assist in reducing overcrowding issues in prisons and provide a more humane and wholistic solution to minor drug offenders instead of incarceration. Any form of jail sentence is a stigma and brings along a host of social problems within the family and community. 

In tandem with drug law reforms, there is an urgent need to enhance prison reforms to address other issues such as access to healthcare, education, and vocational training for prisoners, as well as addressing issues related to prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners.

Similarly, the Ministry of Education’s decision to make secondary education compulsory and available freely for all children is a significant step towards promoting equal opportunity and addressing the gender issues relating to child marriages.  By making secondary education compulsory, the government would ensure that every child in Malaysia, irrespective of their socioeconomic background, has access to education up to finishing secondary school. Access to education is a fundamental human right, and it’s crucial for the development and well-being of individuals and society.

We urge greater participation from all stakeholders to ensure effective and comprehensive of drafting new laws. As a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), SUHAKAM committed to assisting the government to implement human rights reforms in a timely manner.

-END-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Chairman

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

10 March 2023

—————

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (10 MAC 2023) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menyokong sepenuhnya langkah Kerajaan ke arah  pembaharuan undang-undang yang menjadi keutamaan iaitu cadangan untuk menyahjenayahkan kesalahan dadah kecil dengan pemulihan serta dalam aspek pendidikan, dengan mewajibkan pendidikan menengah kepada semua kanak-kanak.

Sejajar dengan syor SUHAKAM mengenai reformasi penjara, cadangan pembaharuan undang-undang terhadap dadah akan membantu mengurangkan kesesakan di dalam penjara serta menyediakan solusi yang menyeluruh serta lebih berperikemanusiaan berbanding hukuman pemenjaraan kepada pesalah kecil dadah. Sebarang bentuk hukuman penjara merupakan stigma dan membawa pelbagai masalah sosial dalam keluarga dan masyarakat.

Seiring dengan pembaharuan undang-undang dadah, terdapat keperluan mendesak untuk menambahbaik reformasi penjara untuk menangani isu-isu seperti akses kepada penjagaan kesihatan, pendidikan, dan latihan vokasional kepada banduan, serta isu-isu berkaitan keadaan penjara dan rawatan banduan.

Begitu juga dengan keputusan Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia untuk mewajibkan pendidikan menengah kepada semua kanak-kanak. Langkah ini akan menggalakkan peluang yang sama rata dan menangani isu gender yang berkaitan dengan perkahwinan kanak-kanak. Dengan mewajibkan pendidikan menengah, kerajaan dapat memastikan setiap kanak-kanak di Malaysia, tanpa mengira latar belakang sosioekonomi, mempunyai akses kepada pendidikan sehingga tamat sekolah menengah. Akses kepada pendidikan merupakan hak asasi manusia, dan sangat penting untuk pembangunan dan kesejahteraan individu dan masyarakat.

SUHAKAM menggesa agar penyertaan yang meluas daripada semua pihak berkepentingan untuk memastikan penggubalan undang-undang baharu yang berkesan dan komprehensif. Sebagai sebuah Institusi Hak Asasi Manusia Kebangsaan, SUHAKAM komited untuk membantu kerajaan melaksanakan reformasi hak asasi manusia dalam tempoh yang terdekat.

-TAMAT-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Pengerusi

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

10 Mac 2023

327099774_958563065322259_3796043742659132934_n

Call for Applications: Human Rights 75 Youth Advisory Group

SUHAKAM encourages youth between the age of 18 – 29 years old to apply for the Human Rights 75 Youth Advisory Group. The Youth Advisory Group will be composed of twelve young people with consideration of gender, age, geographic, ethnic, and cultural balance which will be selected based on the following eligibility criteria:

* 18-29 years old (as of 1 March 2023).

* Minimum 2 years of experience in advocating for human rights at local, national, regional, or international level.

* English language proficiency (working level).

The mandate of the Youth Advisory Group will initially run until the end of 2023. Members of the Youth Advisory Group will exercise their role on a voluntary basis (without remuneration) and are expected to devote an average of about 2 hours per week to their Youth Advisory Group duties.

To apply please fill out this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyUp534eYX-cF24VWxo4WHPoebBNgDZnY1HGol-N4PgL0DBg/viewform by Tuesday, 14 March 2023 (06:59 AM Kuala Lumpur Time).

Access https://www.ohchr.org/en/youth/call-applications-human-rights-75-youth-advisory-group  for more information or send your inquiries to OHCHR-Youth@un.org

vacancies SPMH

Call for Application for the Special Procedures Mandate Holders (SPMH) to be Appointed at the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC)

SUHAKAM encourages all individual that fulfil the criteria to apply for the Special Procedures Mandate Holders (SPMH) which will be appointed at HRC 53 that is tentatively scheduled on 19 June – 14 July 2023.

The available vacancies of SPMH are as follows:

1. Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity

2. Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues

3. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights of Migrants

4. Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism

Interested applicants need to submit a motivation letter through the online application procedure by 5 April 2023 at 12PM Geneva time// 7PM Kuala Lumpur time.

More information can be accessed here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/sp/hrc53  

JOB

Job Vacancy at SUHAKAM (Secretary of SUHAKAM) / Jawatan Kosong di SUHAKAM (Setiausaha SUHAKAM)

  1. SECRETARY OF SUHAKAM (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER) – GRADE VU7

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is an independent Commission, established by the Malaysian Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597), for the promotion and protection of human rights in Malaysia.

SUHAKAM is looking for a passionate, dedicated human rights advocate who can join us and take human rights to the next level.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their letter of application and provide their complete resume/curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates, copy of Identity Card, employer reference letter and a passport size photograph (non-returnable) before or on 31 March 2023 (Friday) to:

————————

  1. SETIAUSAHA SUHAKAM (KETUA PEGAWAI EKSEKUTIF) – GRED VU7

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) ialah sebuah Suruhanjaya bebas yang ditubuhkan oleh Parlimen Malaysia di bawah Akta Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia 1999 (Akta 597) untuk mempromosi dan melindungi hak asasi manusia di Malaysia.

SUHAKAM sedang mencari pejuang hak asasi manusia yang bersemangat dan berdedikasi untuk menyertai kami dan membawa hak asasi manusia ke peringkat seterusnya.

Calon-calon yang berminat dipelawa untuk mengemukakan surat permohonan beserta resume lengkap, salinan sijil akademik, salinan Kad Pengenalan, surat rujukan majikan dan sekeping gambar berukuran pasport (tidak akan dipulangkan) sebelum atau pada 31 Mac 2023 (Jumaat) kepada:

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Tingkat 11, Menara TH Perdana,
1001 Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Laman web: www.suhakam.org.my
(U.P.: Unit Pengurusan Sumber Manusia)

PS

Press Statement No 6-2023_ SUHAKAM Welcomes Government’s Decision to Grant Citizenship of Children Born Overseas / Kenyataan Media No 6-2023_ SUHAKAM Sambut Baik Keputusan Kerajaan Beri Kerakyatan kepada Anak Lahir di Luar Negara

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (19 FEBRUARY 2023) –The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the Government’s decision to amend the Federal Constitution to enable a child born abroad by a Malaysian mother with a non-Malaysian spouse be granted citizenship by operation of law, as jointly announced by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform).


This signifies an important step in fulfilling the rights of children and women in Malaysia in accordance with the country’s obligations as a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. With the proposed amendment, the government has taken a positive step toward ensuring the human rights of every Malaysian, regardless of gender or place of birth, are recognized and protected.


Based on the previous Minister’s statement, there were 2352 citizenship applications received between 2018 and 2021 from Malaysian mothers for their children. The issue of statelessness has caused the children to face many hardships, such as limited access to basic services including education and healthcare. The affected families also suffered great emotional distress and social stigma.


SUHAKAM urges the Government to also address other statelessness issues involving adopted and foundling children in Malaysia, Orang Asli, natives of Sabah and Sarawak, children born out of wedlock or unregistered marriages, undocumented persons, and others. In 2022, SUHAKAM has received 138 complaints involving statelessness issues.


SUHAKAM deeply appreciates the Government’s commitment to upholding human rights and social justice in Malaysia and is ready to work together to ensure that this new decision is implemented effectively.

-END-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad
Chairman
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
19 February 2023

———————–

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (19 FEBRUARI 2023) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menghargai dan menyambut baik keputusan Kerajaan sebagaimana yang diumumkan bersama Menteri Dalam Negeri dan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang-undang dan Reformasi Institusi) untuk meminda Perlembagaan Persekutuan bagi memberikan kewarganegaraan melalui kuat kuasa undang-undang kepada anak yang dilahirkan di luar negara oleh ibu warganegara Malaysia yang berkahwin dengan pasangan bukan warganegara Malaysia.

Keputusan ini merupakan langkah penting dalam memenuhi hak kanak-kanak dan wanita di Malaysia selaras tanggungjawab Malaysia sebagai ahli kepada Konvensyen Mengenai Hak Kanak-Kanak dan Konvensyen Mengenai Penghapusan Segala Bentuk Diskriminasi Terhadap Wanita. Dengan cadangan pindaan tersebut, kerajaan telah mengambil langkah positif ke arah memastikan hak asasi manusia setiap warga Malaysia, tidak kira jantina atau tempat lahir, diiktiraf dan dilindungi.

Berdasarkan pengumuman Menteri sebelum ini terdapat 2352 permohonan kewarganegaraan diterima antara tahun 2018 sehingga 2021 daripada ibu warganegara Malaysia untuk anak mereka. Isu kanak-kanak tanpa kewarganegaraan ini telah menyebabkan pelbagai kesukaran, seperti akses yang terhad kepada perkhidmatan asas termasuk pendidikan dan penjagaan kesihatan. Hal ini juga telah menyebabkan tekanan emosi yang besar dan stigma sosial bagi keluarga yang terkesan.

SUHAKAM juga ingin menyeru Kerajaan untuk memberi perhatian serius dan  menyelesaikan isu tanpa kewarganegaraan lain yang melibatkan anak angkat di Malaysia, kanak-kanak baru lahir yang dijumpai, Orang Asli, Orang Asal di Sabah dan Sarawak, anak tidak sah taraf atau yang lahir dari perkahwinan yang tidak didaftarkan, orang tanpa dokumen dan lain-lain. Bagi tahun 2022, SUHAKAM telah menerima sebanyak 138 aduan melibatkan isu tanpa kewarganegaraan.

SUHAKAM amat  menghargai komitmen Kerajaan dalam menjamin hak asasi manusia dan keadilan sosial di Malaysia, serta sedia membantu dan bekerjasama untuk memastikan keputusan baru ini dilaksana dengan cepat dan berkesan.

-TAMAT-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Pengerusi

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)19 Februari 2023

PS

Press Statement No.5-2023_SUHAKAM Welcomes Minister’s Announcement to Shift Children Out from Immigration Depot / Kenyataan Media No. 5-2023_SUHAKAM Sambut Baik Tindakan KDN Mengenai Tahanan Kanak-kanak di Depot Imigresen

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (17 FEBRUARY 2023) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the announcement made by the Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, that the children in the immigration depots will soon be placed under the care of non-governmental organizations that specialise in child welfare.

The decision is in line with SUHAKAM’s recommendation to the Government to implement Alternatives to Detention (ATD) for children in immigration depot. SUHAKAM hopes that with the positive announcement, the enforcement authorities will ensure that children will never be placed at the immigration depots anymore.

As a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia is obliged to ensure that the detention of a child shall be used as a measure of last resort, in particular when they were detained together with their parents or guardians due to immigration offenses.

SUHAKAM has consistently raised concerns about the detention of children in immigration facilities, where the authorities must ensure the welfare and best interests of the children are look into. It is also important that these children are not subjected to further trauma or harm during the process of being transferred.

SUHAKAM will continue to monitor the implementation of ATD and advocate for the rights and well-being of all children in Malaysia and hopes the government is consistent in upholding children’s well-being regardless of their immigration status.

-END-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Chairman

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)17 February 2023

—————-

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (17 FEBRUARI 2023) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) mengalu-alukan keputusan oleh Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yang menyatakan kanak-kanak di depot imigresen akan ditempatkan di bawah jagaan organisasi bukan kerajaan yang khusus menjaga kebajikan kanak-kanak.

Keputusan itu selaras dengan saranan SUHAKAM kepada Kerajaan untuk melaksanakan Alternatif kepada Tahanan (ATD) bagi kanak-kanak di depot imigresen. SUHAKAM berharap dengan pengumuman ini, pihak penguatkuasa akan memastikan bahawa kanak-kanak tidak akan ditempatkan di depot imigresen lagi selepas ini.

Sebagai penandatangan kepada Konvensyen Mengenai Hak Kanak-kanak, Malaysia bertanggungjawab untuk memastikan penahanan kanak-kanak adalah sebagai langkah terakhir, terutamanya apabila mereka ditahan bersama ibu bapa atau penjaga mereka kerana kesalahan imigresen.

SUHAKAM secara konsisten menyuarakan kebimbangan mengenai penahanan kanak-kanak di depot tahanan imigresen, di mana pihak berkuasa perlu memastikan kebajikan dan kepentingan terbaik kanak-kanak terpelihara. Adalah amat penting untuk kanak-kanak tidak mengalami trauma atau menghadapi bahaya semasa proses pemindahan.

SUHAKAM akan terus memantau pelaksanaan ATD serta menyokong hak dan kesejahteraan kanak-kanak di Malaysia. SUHAKAM juga berharap Kerajaan akan terus konsisten dalam menegakkan kesejahteraan kanak-kanak tanpa mengira status imigresen mereka.

-TAMAT-

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad

Pengerusi

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)17 Februari 2023