Suhakam will be holding its annual two-day conference in Kuala Lumpur on human rights and the administration of law, which will be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The conference, scheduled to be held on Sept 9 and 10 at the Istana Hotel, will aim at creating awareness on the fundamental liberties enshrined in the federal constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In a press announcement, the commission said the event - organised to celebrate Human Rights Day 2003 which falls on Sept 9 - is also intended to promote understanding on how human rights principles can be integrated into law enforcement and judicial systems.

Time for a paradigm shift?

Incoming prime minister Abdullah is expected to deliver the opening address and declare the event - themed 'Human Rights and the Administration of Law' - open.

Abdullah, who is also home minister, is likely to defend the controversial Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial.

Other keynote speakers include Justice J S Verma, a former chief justice of India and a former chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India; Raja Aziz Addruse, former Bar Council chairperson; and Prof Wu Min Aun, director of the Centre for Southeast Asian Law at Australia's Northern Territory University.

In addition, the conference programme includes two symposiums themed 'The judiciary and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights' and 'Concerns relating to arrest, custody, remand and fair trial procedures'.

The conference is also set to conclude with a plenary session titled 'Administration of justice: Time for a paradigm shift?'

Those interested in attending the conference may contact Suhakam at 03-2612 5600.