Govt to conduct study on human rights issues, says Nancy

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PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will be at par with the international community when it carries out a policy study on human rights issues.

Known as the Policy Research for National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP), the study will become the backbone of the development of NHRAP in the country.

In a press release yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said its implementation was vital in developing an action plan for NHRAP, which incorporates the Federal Constitution and the values ​​of Malaysian cultures as well as the position of Islam as the official religion of the country.

Various ministries, departments and 40 academic experts from various fields of expertise from local universities
would be involved in the study that will take 18 months and is divided into two phases.

Phase I, she elaborated, would be more focused on data collection, existing policies as well as analysis of the current status of human rights in the country.

Phase II, she added, would focus on activities such as public consultation.

The research team, Nancy pointed out, would provide a report that includes the concept of human rights in Malaysia and the actual situation of human rights in this country.

The report will also propose appropriate action plan in accordance with the unique and distinctive Malaysian mould, she said.

She added that the research group, which has been formed, would undertake a study based on five main pillars proposed for NHRAP including civil and political rights, economic, social, religious and cultural rights, rights of vulnerable groups, rights of aboriginal/indigenous people and international obligations.

The study would also involve meaningful and comprehensive public consultation, and would be led by
Prof Madya Dr Shamrahayu Ab Aziz and assisted by Dr Gan Chin Chuan, she revealed.

Both are members of the Action Plan Development Steering Committee of National Human Rights, which is chaired by Nancy.

The government has in October 2012 agreed to develop the Action Plan for the National Human Rights for Malaysia.

The development of this plan, she added, would be a long-term effort by the government to ensure the
preservation and defence of human rights and increase knowledge and awareness of the importance of protecting those rights.

The first Implementation of Policy Research for National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) Meeting was held on June 19.

Those who want more information on the review of this policy may contact the Secretariat of the NHRAP at 03-8885 1000 or go directly to the Division of Legal Affairs, Prime Minister’s Department, Precinct 3, 62692 Putrajaya.