Source: SURUHANJAYA HAK ASASI MANUSIA MALAYSIA

SURUHANJAYA HAK ASASI MANUSIA MALAYSIA
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA
TINGKAT 11, MENARA TH PERDANA,
JALAN SULTAN ISMAIL,
50250 KUALA LUMPUR

Tel: 603-2612 5600
Fax: 603-2612 5620
Email:humanrights@suhakam.org.my
Web:www.suhakam.org.my
“Hak Asasi Untuk Semua”
“Human Rights For All”
EDITOR, NEWS DESK FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT
THE RIGHTS OF THE MARGINALISED GROUPS MUST BE PROTECTED

 
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (the Commission) is of the firm view that enforcement agencies should not abuse their powers and, amongst other things, should respect the rights of the marginalised groups especially those of the Orang Asli and the natives. Reference is made to the incident involving the detention and arrest by the police of 13 Orang Asli in Gua Musang, Kelantan on 28 January 2012. Apparently, the Temiar tribe had staged a peaceful protest against the activities of logging companies, which have resulted in an encroachment into their land. Regrettably, it is alleged that the police, in dealing with the protest, had used force in dismantling the blockade by the Orang Asli, and in the process exhibited a lack of sensitivity, concern and understanding of the plight of our marginalized citizens. It is further understood that even after assurances by the state authority that the grievances of the Temiar tribe would be resolved by mid-January, logging activities are still going on, thus triggering off the protest by the Temiar.
The police had reportedly forced down the barrier and burned down the adjacent structures set up by the Temiar, who were merely expressing their stance in their struggle to claim back their rights to the native lands. The family members and friends were reportedly prevented from accompanying them to the detention centre and they were also denied legal representation before being released several hours later. The Commission calls upon the State Government to act expeditiously in resolving the plight of the Orang Asli in Kelantan and to protect their rights to their ancestral lands and livelihood. It also urges that all State Governments respect court decisions awarding the rights to land of the Orang Asli and hold more open consultations with the communities.
The Commission is currently holding its first ever National Inquiry into the land rights of the indigenous peoples with the goals to develop recommendations to the Federal and State Governments to review domestic land laws and policies to incorporate human rights elements and to formulate strategies and plan of action with the aim of protecting and promoting the indigenous peoples’ rights to land.
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“HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL”

 
TAN SRI HASMY AGAM
Chairman
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
31 January 2012