Human rights watchdog Suaram has called Suhakam’s selection process for new commissioners “flawed”.

penan support group pc 011009 john liu Suaram coordinator John Liu ( right ) said the selection did not reflect the views of civil society, and totally disregarded demands by 29 organisations for a fair and transparent selection process.

He slammed the government for hiding the identities of the five-member selection committee that advised Prime Minister Najib Razak on the new appointments.

“As the official appointments of new Suhakam commissioners were a result of a selection process which was completely shrouded in secrecy, those who are claimed by the government as being appointed as commissioners from amongst the NGOs cannot be considered as representing all groups in the wider Malaysian civil society,” Liu said in a statement today.

The prime minister announced the new commissioners last night, with Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) executive chairperson Hasmy Agam as the new Suhakam chairperson

The appointments are backdated to April 26.

Why the delay?

Liu rapped the government for taking so long to announce the new list of commissioners, saying that it “clearly demonstrates the government’s non-commitment towards human rights.”

estate worker suhakam chairman resignation 080207 hamba “Suhakam was commissioner-less for more than one month, and was thus unable to carry out any investigations into complaints of human rights violations.”

Liu said it is now up to the new commissioners to prove their independence, by taking a clear and vocal position on the government’s “numerous shortcomings” in handling human rights issues.

Suaram also outlined five immediate measures the new commissioners must take to build their credibility:

  • Intensify public campaigns, especially on issues where recommendations have been ignored by the government,
  • Provide an action plan with specific time-frames for the government to implement all pending recommendations, and release regular public progress reports on the status of implementation,
  • Play an active intermediary role between civil society and relevant ministries or government departments by holding regular meetings, including for the implementation of Suhakam’s recommendations as well as reforms on Suhakam,
  • Conduct regular monitoring on the ground, particularly in cases where there are imminent threats of human rights violations, and
  • Be more prompt, vocal and visible in responding to cases of human rights violations.

‘We are watching’

Liu stressed that Suhakam has to prove it is qualified to remain accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC), when it comes under scrutiny again this November.

Suhakam nearly lost its ‘A’ status last year when the ICC threatened a downgrade because of dissatisfaction with the Human Rights Commission Act of Malaysia 1999.

The Suaram coordinator said to avoid a repeat of such international embarrassment, the new commissioners must push “substantial institutional reforms” which he said were ignored by their predecessors.

“Suaram stresses that it will continue to monitor Suhakam’s performance, and (its) implementation of institutional reforms.

“Given the government’s total disregard to Malaysian civil society’s demands and non-compliance with international standards, Suaram’s role as a watchdog of Suhakam will be heightened, to ensure that the government and Suhakam are held accountable both in Malaysia as well as at the international level,” Liu said.