After boycotting Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) for more than 100 days, the 32 non-governmental organisations which launched the joint action in protest over the new Suhakam appointments are now back on talking terms with the rights body.

"There is a consensus among us that in the interests of human rights, much can be achieved if we work together," National Human Right Society (Hakam) president Ramdas Tikamdas told malaysiakini today.

Ramdas had earlier led a delegation consisting of representatives from the 32 NGOs concerned for a two-hour meeting with Suhakam in Kuala Lumpur.

"We explored avenues for cooperation and have decided that working together towards realising our common goals for human rights will benefit both parties," he said.

According to Ramdas, the NGOs had stated their perspectives on human rights and their expectations of Suhakam's role, in particular that it should be more proactive, firm and forthright whenever human rights abuses are highlighted.

Meanwhile, Suhakam commissioners explained to the NGOs what they have been doing to address the problem of human rights abuse.

Among the commissioners present at the meeting today were Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman, Harun Hashim, Prof Hamdan Adnan, Prof Chiam Heng Keng, Zainah Anwar and former Appeal Court judge KC Vohrah, who is the newest addition to the commission.

Keeping tab on abuses

"Sometimes, they don't necessarily make their work public. But, they assured us that they have kept tab on abuses and they have been working on it in their own way to improve the situations," Ramdas said.

"We accept they are working towards the improvement of human rights although we may have different perspectives, sometimes, on how such work is to be done," he added.

Asked whether the 100-day boycott has achieved its objectives, Ramdas replied: "It has served the purpose of highlighting our concern on the indifferences shown by the government on the work of Suhakam and also our perspectives on how Suhakam should discharge its duties."

Thirty-two NGOs, consisting of leading human rights NGOs such as Suaram, Aliran, Hakam and Tenaganita started their boycott of Suhakam on April 24 when the new appointments to the commission took effect.

The boycott was initiated to protest the government's poor response to Suhakam's numerous recommendations in its maiden report and its 'freedom of assembly' report, thus creating the impression that Suhakam is nothing but "a mere public relations tool".