The names and other personal information of those who filed complaints to the newly formed Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) will be kept confidential, according to a commission member.

Prof Mehrun Siraj said that it is important for Suhakam to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the complainants to avoid possible harassment by the accused parties.

She said that the commission will inform the complainant from time to time about the status of its inquiry.

"When the inquiry is completed, Suhakam will inform the complainant on the outcome of the inquiry," she added.

However, Mehrun was quick to point out that although the commission had received many complaints of human rights abuses, the commission has its limitations.

"The Human Rights Commission can refer the matter to the relevant authorities or persons with the necessary recommendations if the inquiry discloses that an infringement has taken place," she explained.

But Mehrun made it clear that the commission is "not an enforcement agency" and therefore, they (the commissioners) can only make recommendations, and it is up to the relevant authorities to make the necessary changes.

"The commission cannot inquire into any (human rights) allegations that the subject matter or proceedings are pending in any court. It must also cease investigations if the allegations become the subject matters of the court," she said.

Apart from these, the commission also cannot investigate matters that come within the jurisdiction of another agencies such as Anti-Corruption Agency and Labour Department, she added.

Thus far, the commission received 127 complaints, most of which relating to alleged human rights violations during the "Black 14" police crackdown on protestors. ('[#1] Probe on alleged 'Black 14' police brutality to begin soon [/#]'', May 27)

Due to the large number of complaints, Suhakam will have to screen the complaints to verify that there is indeed an infringement of human rights as alleged before they can carry out an inquiry into the complaints.

According to Mehrun, she will recommend a "complaint guidelines" to the commission at its next meeting on June 5. However, she stressed that her proposal has yet been approved by Suhakam.

The guidelines, she said, are not meant to deter people from making complaints but to improve the complaint-making process by having a systematic procedure.

"If the proposal is approved by the commission, it will be printed in four main languages (Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil) and distributed throughout the country as a guide for the public," she said.

"The commission may request for further information in order to determine whether a complaint is admissible. A complaint may not be admissible if it is found to be too trivial a matter or it is beyond the jurisdiction of the commission," she added.

Mehrun told malaysiakini that she welcomed feedback from the public regarding the complaint guidelines.

She also said that the month-old commission needs the assistance of volunteers who can help with its work.

"At the moment, the commission has only two very helpful staffs borrowed from the Foreign Ministry. They help to attend to our work on top of their work with the ministry," she said.

See "[#2]Complaints guidelines proposal[/#]"