8 9 It is SUHAKAM’s commitment to focus greater attention, design its programmes and commit substantial resources on these areas. Commission will consciously incorporate gender perspectives, throughout all its programmes and activities thereby ensuring that achieving intended outputs/outcomes will apply equally to women and others, as it does to men. As a result of implementing this Strategic Plan, it is anticipated that there will be some measure of improvement in the livelihood, education, health, housing and social security of those from the vulnerable communities in Malaysia. Similarly there should be a reduction in xenophobic and racial discriminatory incidences occurring, which will augur well for the future of Malaysia. The Office of Children’s Commissioner (OCC) have also outlined its operational strategy to address issues related to rights of children in the country. Taking into account the (a) scope and depth of human rights issues; (b) population size and differing features (economic status, level of education, cultural background, vulnerability, accessibility, sexual orientation etc) and (c) the context of the Malaysian climate (including political scene, level of public awareness, economic stability, religious acceptance); the work moving forward to pursue the human rights agenda must continue regardless of circumstances. Photo by ABDUL HAFIZ BIN AB HAMID Malaysia has shown some progress in terms of women’s rights, right to vote, to education, employment and healthcare which are generally enjoyed by its citizens. SUHAKAM, stands ready to cooperate and support Government’s efforts to further improve the human rights standards in the country, whilst it moves forward with the roll-out of the 12th Malaysia Plan and other national action plans. There are numerous opportunities for Commission to form synergistic collaborations with local and international civil society organisations, UN human rights bodies and mechanisms based in Malaysia and regionally, to achieve shared and common goals. Who We Are and How We Work The Commission records its deepest appreciation to all Commissioners, Secretariat officers and staff, all consultative and advisory groups, external stakeholders whose continuous support and active participation have contributed to the development of this strategic plan. It fulfils these responsibilities by: Brief History of the Commission The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597). The Act came into force on 9 September 1999, with the inaugural meeting of SUHAKAM held on 24 April 2000. Photo by MOHD SAMSI BIN SUMAIRI Photo by SYADAN BIN GINU SUHAKAM as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), was established with due compliance with the 1993 Paris Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions. SUHAKAM may exercise its powers and functions anywhere in Malaysia, SUHAKAM currently has three offices; each in Peninsular Malaysia (headquarters), Sabah and Sarawak. SUHAKAM seeks to contribute to integrate human development in Malaysia through full compliance with international human rights standards • Promoting awareness of human rights, undertaking research by conducting programmes, seminars and workshops and disseminating and distributing the results of its research; • Advising the Government and/or relevant authorities of complaints against them and recommending appropriate measures to be taken; • Investigating and verifying any infringement of human rights; Malaysia’s active involvement in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) was an impetus for the Malaysian Government to finally consider the establishment of a national human rights institution. There was international attention on human rights as a result of the success of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna where governments, including Malaysia, agreed that human rights are universal and indivisible, and they recognized the importance of setting up national human rights institutions. • Visiting places of detention in accordance with procedures as prescribed by laws relating to places of detention and to make necessary recommendations, A recent important milestone on it’s 20th Anniversary, was the successful debate, following the tabling of SUHAKAM’s 2018 Annual Report by Members of Parliament on 5 December 2019. • Conducting public inquiries into major infringements of human rights; • Issuing public statements on human rights as and when necessary; • Working with civil society organisations and human rights defenders for the promotion and protection of human rights; • Undertaking appropriate activities as are necessary. Photo by MOHAMMAD KHAIRIZAL AFENDY