Click here to read Commonwealth Lawyers Association President Steven Thiru’s reflection on enforced disappearance and Human Rights Day 2025, underscoring the urgent need to defend fundamental rights and uphold accountability. An outline of the main themes from his reflection is set out below.
Enforced disappearance remains one of the gravest violations of human dignity and the rule of law. It strips victims of legal protection, and inflicts profound suffering on families and lasting harm on communities.
International jurisprudence has firmly established authoritative standards on State responsibility and the obligation to investigate until the fate or whereabouts of victims is established.
Recent High Court decisions in Malaysia on the disappearances of Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh reinforce these principles, holding the State and its agents liable for breaching constitutional and statutory duties. These judgments are important milestones in the pursuit of justice and accountability.
As Human Rights Day 2025 invites reflection on the theme “Our Everyday Essentials”, we are reminded that the rights to life, liberty, and security require transparent public institutions, courageous courts, and sustained advocacy.
The legal profession, bar associations, and civil society globally must uphold the rule of law, advocate for accountability, expose systemic failures, and support victims’ families. Lawyers, in particular, must act with courage to champion the rights of the disappeared and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
*The views expressed above, and in the linked article, are solely those of the author, and their republication does not necessarily imply endorsement by the Malaysian Bar.