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Malaysia

 
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  • fax: +603 2612 5620
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    Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Membership: Full Member
Admitted: 2002 (7th Annual Meeting)

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, Act 597 (the Act). The inaugural meeting of SUHAKAM was held on 24 April 2000.

SUHAKAM’s mandate includes the responsibility to:

  • promote awareness of and provide education in relation to human rights

  • advise and assist the Government of Malaysia in formulating legislation and administrative directives and procedures and recommend the necessary measures to be taken

  • recommend to the Government of Malaysia with regards to the subscription or accession of treaties and other international instruments in the field of human rights

  • inquire into complaints regarding infringement of human rights.

SUHAKAM has established specific working groups have been established to focus on human rights education and promotion; law reform and international treaties; economic, social and cultural rights; and complaints and inquiries.


Commission Members

Members of SUHAKAM appointed for 2010-2013 are:

  • Tan Sri Hasmy Agam
    Chairperson

Standing Commissioners

  • Mr. Muhammad Sha'ani B. Abdullah
  • Professor Datuk Dr. Khaw Lake Tee
  • Professor Datuk Dr. Mahmood Zuhdi Hj. A. Majid
  • Mr James Deva Nayagam
  • Mr Detta anak Samen
  • Ms Jannie Lasimbang


Legal Framework

Enabling legislation

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act (1999)

Constitution of Malaysia

Malaysia: Native Court judges must be well-versed in customs, traditions

A Malaysian human rights commissioner has suggested that the state government appoint Native Court j

 

Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia

August 2010: Dealing with complex challenges is something the newly appointed Chairperson of SUHAKAM

 

Malaysia: Look into plight of Penan rape victims, Suhakam urges government

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia wants the government to seriously look into the plight of Pe

 

Malaysia: Judge our performance, says new Suhakam chief

Newly appointed Malaysian Human Rights Commission chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam wants the public to ju

 

Malaysia: Lawyers' arrest violated rights, finds SUHAKAM

The arrest and detention of five lawyers by the Brickfields police on May 7 last year was a clear vi

 

‘A status’ accreditation recommended for Malaysia, Nepal

Recommended to retain their ‘A status’ accreditation, the ICC will review developments affecting

 

Malaysia: SUHAKAM calls for dialogue between religions

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission has called for dialogue among religious leaders following atta

 

Malaysia: Uphold rights to customary land, says Suhakam

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia wants an urgent review of the Sarawak state laws to guarante

 

Hashimah Nik Jaafar, Malaysia NHRC

October 2009: The Commission’s new Secretary has a history of taking on challenging roles and deli

 

Malaysia: SUHAKAM wants remaining ISA detainees released

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia wants the Home Ministry to release the remaining nine Intern

 

Malaysia: Dam projects hurting Sarawak communities

The current state of the indigenous people affected by dam projects in Sarawak shows that the devel

 

Malaysia: Suhakam to lodge complaint over mistreatment of residents

The National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia will visit the Taman Sinar Harapan home and forward

 

Malaysia: SUHAKAM recommends special court for minors

A special court for children away from court complexes was one of the many recommendations to improv

 

Malaysia: SUHAKAM joins call for greater press freedom

“Threats to national security should not be seen as an excuse to restrict freedom of the media," s

 

Malaysia: Suhakam inquiry finds police, FRU used excessive force

Law enforcement personnel used excessive force against two individuals during an incident at Persiar

 

Malaysia: Repeal ISA and amend Act 597, says Suhakam

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia has reiterated that the Internal Security Act should be repe

 

Malaysia: Suhakam urges govt to protect Orang Asli rights

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia wants the government to use the United Nations Declaration o

 

Malaysia: Form task force for stateless, says SUHAKAM

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) wants the Government to set up a special task forc

 

Malaysia: Allow foreign workers to set up association

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission has asked the government to allow foreign workers in the count

 

13th: Malaysia 2008

13th Annual Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28-31 July 2008

 

Malyasia: More detention centres no solution

Building more temporary detention centres will not solve the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah, say

 

Malaysia: Call to review 'unreasonable' restrictions

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission has called on the government to review the Police Act and othe

 

Registrations open for APF 13

The 13th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum will be held from 28 to 31 July 2008 in Kuala Lump

 

Malaysia: Detention camps must be improved

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) will discuss with the Home Ministry ways to improv

 

Malaysia: ‘Enforce law to protect child witnesses’

SUHAKAM Commissioner highlights the importance of separating child witnesses from adult accused pers

 

Malaysia: Send immigration offenders home

Malaysia's Human Rights Commission has proposed that foreigners arrested for immigration offences be

 

ASEAN commits to human rights body

December 2007: ASEAN's leaders sign an historic agreement to set up a regional human rights body.

 

Investigations Techniques Training - Malaysia

The APF and the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission conducted in-country train

 
Downloads
Enabling Legislation
News
A Malaysian human rights commissioner has suggested that the state government appoint Native Court judges based on their knowledge of the local customs and traditions.
August 2010: Dealing with complex challenges is something the newly appointed Chairperson of SUHAKAM has confronted ever since beginning his career as a young diplomat.
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia wants the government to seriously look into the plight of Penan women and girls who alleged they were sexually abused or raped.
 
THE ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS ©2010

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