Two grassroots organisations were yesterday announced as this year’s joint winners of Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s (Suaram) annual Human Rights Award.

The groups - Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan (JKOAK) and Gabungan Selamatkan Petani dan Penternak Perak - emerged top over other more high-profiled civil society groups, including the Bersih 4 rally organisers and Lawyers for Liberty.

The awards were presented in conjunction with the launch of Suaram’s Annual Human Rights Report 2015 at the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall last night.

Mustapa Along, who received the award on behalf of JKOAK, said the recognition of their efforts would go a long way towards helping to empower the Orang Asli community.

“JKOAK was founded in 2010 and our aim is to strengthen the understanding of minority communities on importance of human rights.

“Human rights used to be a ‘foreign concept’ among the Orang Asli community and JKOAK has been trying to educate them to be aware of their rights,” Mustapa said.

For example, Mustapa said, the Orang Asli must be taught to recognise their rights to the forest, as they are the ones with the most knowledge of the area.

The Perak farmers group (photo) spokesperson, Michael Fong, said there is something really wrong when generations of farmers, who have been clearing the land to supply food, are told to clear off their lands.

“We have been tilling the land for generations and one day the Land Office can just step in and tell us to go.

“This is not right when we are talking about human rights,” Fong said.

Fong also noted that it is a sad situation when the country is still facing a food security issue, even after 58 years of independence.

‘Unique and much-needed contributions’

In a statement, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said JKOAK has campaigned extensively for the welfare of the indigenous people of Kelantan and has brought stories of land grabs and other violations of indigenous peoples’ rights in Kelantan to the forefront of public attention.

Sevan said the campaigns by Gabungan Selamatkan Petani dan Penternak Perak have also uplifted the lot of farmers who suffered from human rights violations and empowered them to take positive action to safeguard their human rights and their livelihood.

Along with the award, each of the group also received a token sum of RM500 from Suaram.

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