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Human Rights and Elections

Wednesday, 05 September 2007 02:30pm

©Bernama (Used by permission)
by Jeswan Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- It is no less a coincidence that just when the 12th general election is coming our way, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia or Suhakam decided to organise the "Human Rights and Elections" conference to commemorate this year's Malaysian Human Rights Day.

For Suhakam commissioner Dr Chiam Heng Keng who is also the Malaysian Human Rights Day organising chairperson, the September 9 conference has nothing to do with the election.

"It is a coincidence. We were a bit worried if after our decision to hold the conference the election would be announced. We do not want the public to think that we are doing Government propaganda work and in which case we are not," she told Bernama in an interview at Suhakam in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Chiam said this year's conference is aimed at discussing Malaysia's five decades of independence vis-a-vis the human rights viewpoint.

She said Suhakam felt it is timely to review the elections especially in conjunction with the Human Rights Day.

THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Chiam said the aim of the conference is to look at aspects related to the human rights and the ones often violated through elections.

"The right to vote and elect is one's basic right with the Government being obliged to hold regular elections. Our general elections have thus far been peaceful and we hope they remain that way. And Suhakam's mandate is how to better the society," she said.

She said Suhakam's concern was on how to raise awareness on the need to vote and that it was everyone's right to vote.

"People do not seem to take voting seriously and the importance of exercising their rights. What are the issues that they feel must be championed? Monitoring the Government in how it will carry out the elections is not a mandate to be taken lightly."

CONFERENCE OPEN TO ALL

Chiam said the conference is open to the public including students.

"We want as many people as possible to attend this conference and share with us their views on the topic of discussion. We also want to hear from the disabled community and for that we have made sure the venue selected, Hotel Mutiara Crowne Plaza in Kuala Lumpur, is disabled friendly. For the hearing impaired, an interpreter will be available to present the information being discussed in sign language.

Chiam says it will help if the Government is of the understanding that whatever criticisms levelled at it during the conference is not taken negatively.

And as with every conference, Suhakam will compile and submit the recommendations made to the Government.

"Suhakam will also come out with its own recommendations related to the respective themes," said Chiam.

HUMAN RIGHTS NOT TO BE ABUSED

While the Human Rights Day has been celebrated since 2001, the concept of human rights has yet to be understood by one and all, said Chiam.

"Just because it concerns `rights', people take it a bit too far and at times make the most unimaginable demands, all under the excuse of human rights.

"When I became a commissioner in 2001, people back then had no idea of human rights and what it entailed. And those who were propagating human rights had a tough task ahead as there was this myth that human rights was an anti-Government concept."

To make matters worse, there are those who take the human rights to mean that it is their `absolute' right to do as they wish.

"People do not realise that even rights come with limits, otherwise there will be chaos. For example one cannot under the pretext of human rights decide to run around naked," she added.

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN RIGHTS

Chiam's six year stint as Suhakam commissioner has shown her the arduous task faced by the commission in educating the people on the issue of human rights.

"There are people who can understand and comply and then there are others who have not internalised what they learnt in the area of human rights.

"For instance we have done programmes in schools yet we have reports of violence taking place in schools. Why? This year Suhakam has started a programme at teacher training colleges to educate teachers on human rights.

However, not everyone is open to the idea of knowing and learning about human rights.

People must remember that ignorance creates fear and that it is knowledge that makes them aware of their surroundings.

Those interested in attending the conference can contact Suhakam at 03-26125600 or e-mail to humanrights@suhakam.org.my.