An unending journey for human rights

A new society wants to work with the government and private sector to help guide Malaysians on human rights matters.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new society to promote and create awareness on human rights in Malaysia was officially launched today.

It also coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Called Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia” (Proham), the society is helmed by former members of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), who collectively have 100 years of experience in the field of human rights.
Simon Sipaun, a former Suhakam vice-chairman, has been appointed Proham chairman, and is assisted by his deputy Hamdan Adnan.

Others include Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute co-founder Michael Yeoh, and former Suhakam commissioners N Siva Subramaniam and Chiam Heng Keng who are secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer respectively.

Former justice Karam Chand Vohrah and Denison Jayasooria are committee members.

Proham will work with all parties including the government and private sector to promote principles and values in accordance with UN International Human Rights statutes and the Malaysian Federal Constitution.
March 21 was chosen in memory of the bloody Sharpeville incident in South Africa in which 69 people were killed when police opened fire at a peaceful anti-apartheid demonstration.

To mark the event, a roundtable discussion on the elimination of racial discrimination was also held.
Sipaun said that racial discrimination was a form of human rights violation which can stunt meritocracy.
“What we hope to do is to use our pool of knowledge and experience to guide and assist human rights concerns in Malaysia.”

“Since the tragic March 21 incident in 1960, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“The convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings,” Sipaun said.

‘Just talking, not ratifying’
Proham founding member Dr Lim Mui Kiang said: “There are nine core human rights treaties – six of them have not been signed by Malaysia and only three out of 12 human rights items have been ratified by the Malaysian government since 1960.”

“The government must look into eliminating all forms of discrimination, including torture and degrading treatment,” she added.

Added Hamdan: “The government shouts 1Malaysia a thousand times a day but isn’t signing what it should to unite Malaysians for real. It is just talking, and not ratifying. I strongly urge the Malaysian government to ratify the convention to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.”

Sipaun said although Proham is the new kid on the block, “collectively, we have over 100 years of experience on human rights issues… Human rights is an unending journey”.

“Everyone has a role to play. It will not do to just leave it to Suhakam and other human rights bodies and organisations,” he added.