Chapter 1 - Report of the Education and Public Relations Group
instead hopes to work closely with the MOE to integrate human rights into the curriculum, to
enable early exposure for students.
On 12 September, Yayasan Guru Malaysia Bhd and the Putrajaya Consultative Council of
Parents and Teachers Association published a guide on spotting ‘signs of homosexuality’ among
students. The MOE has since said that it did not endorse the guidelines. Still, the Commission is
concerned that some schools may adopt the guidelines, which may then lead to discrimination
of children perceived as being gay or lesbian. Under the CRC, State Parties have an obligation
to eliminate any form of discrimination. Such guidelines would trample on the fundamental
liberties of children as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and Article 2 of the CRC.
2. TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES
The Commission believes that all concerned parties, particularly
the Government and law enforcement agencies, should step up
efforts to promote and protect human rights. The Government as a
Member-State of the UN and the Human Rights Council must fulfil
its commitments by ensuring that Malaysia’s laws are in line with
international human rights principles.
The Commission
stressed that the
fundamental
principles of
international
treaties can still be
observed in law
enforcement.
During programmes conducted for law enforcement agencies,
participants were exposed to the nine core international human
rights instruments and the International Standard Minimum Rules
for Treatment of Prisoners, as these have direct relevance to their duties. As the Government has
not ratified most of these instruments, it was difficult for the trainers to convince participants to
practise and apply the principles highlighted. Throughout, however, the Commission stressed
that the fundamental principles of international treaties can still be observed in law enforcement.
While the Commission is satisfied with the progress and cooperation of agencies currently
involved, it is concerned about the progress of education on human rights in other agencies. In
previous years, agencies such as Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Relawan Ikatan
Rakyat had invited the Commission to conduct training for their personnel. However, these
agencies have since shortened their training programme to five days from seven previously, and
therefore no longer involve the Commission in such sessions.
(a) Prison Department
The Commission conducted three Human Rights Workshops jointly with the Prison Department’s
Correctional Academy. A total of 84 senior officials from throughout Malaysia attended the
workshops. The objective was to integrate the concept of human rights into the daily duties
of officials, with particular emphasis on their role in promoting and protecting human rights.
Throughout, emphasis was placed on the concept of rehabilitating prisoners.
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