Speak your heart out!: Human Rights Debate 2008 Opening Ceremony

Kuala Lumpur, 9 December 2008 - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) turns 60 on 10 December 2008. In celebration of this commemorative year and the Human Rights Day this year, the Bar Council Human Rights Committee is organising the ‘Human Rights Debate’ tournament, which will be held at KDU College from 9th to 12th December, carrying the theme: UDHR @ 60 and still not all is right.

The event was officially opened today at the Bar Council Auditorium by renowned humanist, activist and former ISA detainee, Dr. Syed Husin Ali.
Known for his book, Two Faces – Detention Without Trial, Dr. Syed Husin commended the initiative saying the debate is an innovative and creative move. He hoped all participants and members of the audience would consider the debate as providing an opportunity for them to uphold the UDHR and to strengthen their resolve and commitment to fight for basic human rights in this country.

Among the objectives of the debate, as explained by the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Khaizan Sharizad Razak Dali, is to help bridge ethnic, linguistic and cultural gaps to foster respect and understanding on various rights-related issues in the country.

All the speakers at the opening ceremony shared a similar concern that this country is denying its citizens the core content of the UDHR.

Dr. Syed Husin reminded us that Malaysia has not ratified the two covenants which emerged from UDHR, which are the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Sri Bala Murugan, the representative from KDU College said it is hard to convey human rights values to students.

“The situation is not ideal, but we have seen how human rights has given much power to the weak, comfort to the marginalised and strength to the dispossessed,” said Edmund Bon Tai Soon, Chairman of the Bar Council Human Rights Committee, in his keynote speech.

Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, President of Malaysian Bar asserted that Malaysia, having been voted in as a member of the Human Rights Council in May 2006, should understand human rights.

“One would be forgiven for thinking that with this, the approach of our leaders to such things as freedom of assembly and freedom of expression would have changed. You would have thought that the ISA would be repealed or seriously modified. That we would be too embarrassed to use the Sedition Act, to shut down debate on issues, to maintain the death penalty and other form of corporal punishment like whipping. That we would have rushed to resolve indigenous rights, rights of migrant workers and other refugees and to curb all abuses of power and corruption. Alas, we are not rushing to do any of this.”

Dr. Syed Husin quoted Article 9 of the UDHR, that no one should be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Having been detained six years under ISA, Dr. Syed Husin condemned the Act, saying that there is no justification for the ISA now.

“It is an unjust Act which can and has often been used to cripple political parties and politicians regarded by the ruling parties as enemies. It is also against the teaching of Islam, the religion of the Federation and other great religions,” he said.

“Every day should be human rights day,” said Dato’ Ambiga. She reminded the audience that 13th of December 2008 will mark one year since the four members of the Bar were arrested under the ISA for their purported involvement in a cause called Hindraf. While expressing her pleasure that 15 of the ISA detainees have been released this year, she also called for the government to release all other 46 whom are still detained.

The speakers also called for much greater commitment from individuals, NGOs and political parties to fight for and defend basic human rights and uphold the UDHR.

The opening ceremony ended at about 8.45pm with around 200 people comprising participants, members of the Bar and members of the public in attendance.

Noor Arianti Binti Osman
Bar Council

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