DAP to move amendments to the National Human Rights Commission Bill on Monday to make it a more credible and indepedent body to protect and promote human rights

Media Statement
by Lim Kit Siang  

(Petaling Jaya, Friday): The Foreign Minister, Datuk Syed Hamid Albar, when introducing the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Bill 1999 in Parliament yesterday, had not been able to allay the numerous reservations about the independence and credibility of the National Human Rights Commission to protect and promote human rights as proposed by the Bill.

For instance, I had asked Hamid why the National Human Rights Commission had not been established by way of an amendment to the Federal Constitution, to give the Commission the highest possible status and authority possible to protect and promote human rights but the Foreign Minister was unable to give any satisfactory answer.

I have given notice to Parliament that I will be moving amendments to the National Human Rights Bill on Monday to make it a more credible and independent body to protect and promote human rights.

Among the amendments I will be moving will be to give the National Human Rights Commission the widest jurisdiction to protect and promote human rights in accordance with universal human rights standards as embodied in Part II of the Federal Constitution as well as international human rights covenants and conventions.

(16/7/99)

*Lim Kit Siang - Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Democratic Action Party Secretary-General & Member of Parliament for Tanjong