MS 16_2025

Media Statement No. 16-2025_SUHAKAM Urges the Government to Drop Charges Against Human Rights Activists

by Press Statement

KUALA LUMPUR (8 March 2025) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) urges the government to drop the charges against two human rights activists from Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), who are being prosecuted for alleged trespassing at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Putrajaya. Criminalizing human rights defenders for their advocacy sets a concerning precedent and undermines fundamental freedoms. These activists were merely attempting to submit a memorandum regarding the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 [Act 747] (SOSMA) alongside detainees’ family members. Their actions were peaceful, lawful and aligned with human rights advocacy.

It is crucial to emphasize that these activists posed no threat to the safety or security of the Ministry’s personnel or premises. Rather than facilitating the peaceful submission of the memorandum, the Ministry reportedly kept the activists waiting for more than two hours without any formal response. Given these circumstances, the subsequent charges against them appear to be an unnecessary escalation of what is essentially a procedural matter.

SUHAKAM firmly upholds the principles of freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Federal Constitution. This stance is also in line with the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 [Act 736], aimed at better facilitating citizens in exercising their right to assemble peacefully, alongside the subsequent imposed moratorium. The government’s actions must reflect its commitment to reform and ensure that the rights of citizens are genuinely protected. The actions of these activists should be viewed within this framework rather than through punitive lens.

This incident represents a mere technical issue concerning standard procedures for accessing government premises. As such, SUHAKAM urges the authorities to exercise their discretion and reconsider the charges. Law enforcement agencies and government bodies possess the full authority to apply reasoned judgment and demonstrate empathy in cases where the intention behind the actions is neither malicious nor harmful.

Considering this, SUHAKAM calls for the immediate withdrawal of charges against the activists and for a more open, rights-respecting approach in handling future engagements with civil society organizations.

-END-

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Date: 8 March 2025

Media Statement No. 16-2025_SUHAKAM Urges the Government to Drop Charges Against Human Rights ActivistsDownload
PS

Press Statement No.2 -2021 Proclamation of Emergency

by Press Statement

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.

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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