CHAPTER 3 - REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WORKING GROUP (iii) Section 16B(3B), so that students are represented by a legal practitioner of their own choice in proceedings brought against them, and that they are not limited to representation by employees or students of the university as currently provided In June, the Attorney-General’s Chambers invited the Commission to present its findings and recommendations. The Attorney-General’s Chambers agreed to look into some of the recommendations to ensure that students are not deprived of their rights. The Commission welcomes the decision of the Court of Appeal on 31 October, in Muhammad Hilman bin Idham, Woon King Chai, Muhammad Ismail bin Aminuddin and Azlin Shafina binti Mohama Adza v Kerajaan Malaysia, Menteri Pengajian Tinggi and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which held Section 15(5) (a) of the UUCA to be unconstitutional and a violation of the freedom of expression. The Commission urges the Government to reconsider its plan to appeal the decision. The Commission also welcomes the move by the MoHE in December to hold its first consultation on controversial provisions of the UUCA, to obtain the views of student representatives and other stakeholders, including the Commission, in considering appropriate action. The Commission hopes this will lead to students attaining more rights and freedoms. 8. RIGHTS OF THE SEXUAL MINORITIES (a) Meeting with Non-Muslim Groups A meeting was held in February with representatives of non-Muslim groups to discuss the rights of the sexual minorities, following a similar meeting with representatives of Muslim organisations in 2010. Representatives of Christian and the Hindu groups explained their perspective of the sexual minorities. They also expressed concern about growing hatred of the sexual minorities, highlighting death threats against a man who had come out about his sexuality on Youtube. The Commission observed that the Christian group based its opinions on the principle of love as emphasised by the Bible. According to the group, this principle is extended to the sexual minorities; therefore any violation of their rights is not acceptable. The Hindu group presented its views based on the Hindu scripture as well as the social context. It said some activities of the sexual minorities, such as cross-dressing, are not prohibited because the religion recognises gender diversity; for example, some Hindu deities are manifested in both the female and male form. In the social context however, certain acts, such as sexual intercourse between those of the same sex, are not acceptable as these are linked to bad karma. 60 The Commission stands firm that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation should be able to enjoy the full range of human rights without exception.