III. LOOKING FORWARD
The Commission, through the Complaints and Monitoring Division, is looking forward to the
completion of its thematic studies – ‘Death in Police Custody’ and ‘The Right to Health in Prison’.
Upon publication of the reports, it is hoped that meaningful consultations could be held with all
the relevant stakeholders in ensuring the recommendations are implemented and the rights of
both the detainees and the authorities are protected.
Malaysia’s indigenous
communities continue to suffer
marginalisation. Some are still
dispossessed of their traditional
lands. Their beliefs, cultures,
languages and ways of life
remain threatened despite a
wide variety of Government
initiatives and policies, and
despite having a unique legal
and constitutional position.
Malaysia’s indigenous communities continue
to suffer marginalisation. Some are still
dispossessed of their traditional lands. Their
beliefs, cultures, languages and ways of life
remain threatened despite a wide variety of
Government initiatives and policies, and despite
having a unique legal and constitutional position.
As the Government has the responsibility to act in
a fiduciary capacity with respect to the indigenous
peoples with whom it has a special relationship
of trust, the Commission, through the Inquiries
Division, in 2015 will work towards ensuring that
more emphasis is placed on securing the rights
of this historically marginalised and neglected
community. The Commission also notes that
much work remains to be done in advancing
the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UNDRIP).
With regard to public assemblies, the Commission expresses hope that a balance between the
rights of different groups involved in a peaceful protest will be struck. Although the police have
statutory powers in relation to the policing of protests, it is hoped that in discharging their
roles and responsibilities, good practices and international norms on freedom of assembly
are observed. The Commission also hopes that all protests will be presumed peaceful unless
there is compelling or clear evidence that the organisers or participants intend to use or incite
violence and that violence is likely to occur.
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