Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Razali Ismail said “transformative changes” had been made at the government level following the May 9 polls.
“But there are some unclear areas on how this government is taking responsibility and ownership of human rights, which were mentioned in so many ways and so many times in its manifesto,” he said in a press conference on the launch of Suhakam’s report today.
“There has been an inordinate delay in putting it (human rights reforms) through,” he added.
“When we went to see the law minister, it was not clear to us if he thought this issue would be put under his portfolio. It is not clear who is going to be responsible for human rights.”
However, he voiced hope that the six select committees recently formed in Parliament would speed up the debate, implementation and enforcement of human rights initiatives.
“We are very hopeful,” he said. “We’re not disappointed yet, but we will be if there is no debate in Parliament.”
Suhakam commissioner Lok Yim Pheng meanwhile reminded government agencies, civil society and related agencies to take into account their recommendations in the report, to solve some of the issues such as the ratification of United Nations treaties and matters related to vulnerable groups.
“We hope that in the coming year, there will be opportunities for MPs in Parliament to debate and discuss our reports.”
According to Lok, 220 schools are involved in a pilot study on the teaching of human rights in schools. The schools were identified and selected by the education ministry.
“We need official endorsement from the education ministry to expand this initiative,” she said.
The Human Rights Best Practices Education (Atham) was introduced in select schools in 2009.
Commissioner Aishah Bidin said a review would be held next year on the implementation of the subject syllabus in the 220 schools.
Jerald Joseph meanwhile highlighted the need to reform laws governing Suhakam, to strengthen the human rights body.
“The commission has submitted recommendations to update the Suhakam Act, which stated that we may advise the government.
“We would like to make it so that the advice is actionable, whereby it would be mandatory for the government to take our advice.
“If they are unable to, they need to come back to us with the reasons why,” he said.
Suhakam’s annual report for 2017 was launched last week.
It highlighted various human rights issues in the country including the alleged torture and ill treatment of people in police detention, statelessness, gender issues, child marriage and the violation of indigenous people’s rights.
The 348-page report also outlined the progress of laws, reforms and policies including for laws on child marriage, the death penalty, religious conversion after marriage and the decriminalisation of drug use.