Peaceful Human Rights Day highlights abuses in Malaysia

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, Dec 10, 2014: About 1,000 members of non-governmental organisations and civil societies turned up at Padang Merdeka here today for the World Human Rights Day, with speakers -one after another -  spoke of human rights abuses in Malaysia. 

 

They also wanted the international community to know of the native customary rights land grabbings by the  state government for crony companies to develop oil palm plantations and the constraints imposed on their rights to freedom of speeches and associations.

The organising committee coordinator Peter John Jaban, speaking to reporters at the scene, said:"This event (World Human Rights Day)  is to highlight the human rights issues in the state in a year which has seen Malaysia featured regularly in the world press over human rights record, from Freedom of Religion to Freedom of Association and Freedom of Association.

"This is why civil society Gerakan Anak Sarawak (Gasak) is publicly registering its opposition to the recent announcement that Sedition Act 1948 is to be retained and even extended to over any discussion of secession, a clear violation of Article 19," Jaban said.

He said Gasak challenges all politicians, both the Barisan Nasional and Opposition, to speak with their conscience on this matter because this affects Sabahans and Sarawakians directly - the very people who voted them onto office.

He stressed:"The people of Sabah and Sarawak are becoming increasingly aware of their rights. They are standing up and speaking out and we must ensure that they are allowed to do so.

"This is why an event like this is so important. We all need to make sure that we are heard or else we will continue to sit on the sidelines of our own lives while others decide for us.

"After 50 years of Malaysia, we, Dayaks, are still officially branded as "lain lain". We want the government to respect and protect our rights, equal under the law," Jaban said.

He said Gasak will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Razak, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman and Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem as well as the UN representatives on the human rights abuses in the country.

He added the memorandum, to be endorsed by NGOs and civil societies, will cover encroachment on NCR lands by plantation and logging companies as well as by construction of mega dams.

Jaban said prior and informed consent of the communities involved must be obtained before construction work on mega dam projects could start.

"The rights of the indigenous people are protected under the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),  and as such, should be equally protected under the Malaysian Constitution," he said.

Jaban added:"The protection of our human rights under the United Nations is an international movement but with a very local urgency. All communities of Sarawak need to stand up together to protect themselves and thereby each other."

World Human Rights Day was also held simultaneously  in Miri, Sibu and Sabah.