On 14 September, SUHAKAM organised a ‘Stakeholder Consultation on Forced
Labour Issues in the Medical Supply Industry’ following allegations of forced
labour practices by Malaysian rubber glove manufacturers. Industry leaders
shared their concerns in dealing with migrant workers whose contracts were
expiring, and unable to return to their home countries due to border closures.
SUHAKAM urged the government to take adequate measures to eradicate
forced labour, protect labour rights, and promote a safe and conducive
working environment for all workers, including migrant workers.
On 8 October, SUHAKAM collaborated with the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) to organise a webinar on ‘Preventing Forced Labour in
Malaysia through Responsible Business Practices’. The event, which specifically
targeted businesses from various sectors, provided employers with practical
tips on how to mitigate risks of forced labour in recruitment and employment
practices, and remediation.
SUHAKAM continued to promote greater understanding among the Islamic
community on the compatibility between human rights principles grounded
in the UDHR and Islamic teachings. The compatibility extends to human rights
knowledge in Islam, namely the Quran and Sunnah, the Medina Charter and
the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights. SUHAKAM also engaged with key
stakeholders, including the Conference of Rulers, Islamic religious authorities
and the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) on
matters surrounding the Islamic community’s human rights. These rights include
education, worship, development, human dignity and justice.
SUHAKAM was granted the opportunity to submit an opinion paper to the
Conference of Rulers that highlighted three issues - the registration of Tahfiz
schools, child marriage and disabled-friendly mosques in Malaysia. The 256th
Meeting of the Conference of Rulers on 20 February discussed SUHAKAM’s
submission.
SUHAKAM actively supports the elimination of racism, racial discrimination
and xenophobia. SUHAKAM developed a policy paper on hate speech
(xenophobia) against minorities, especially the refugees and migrants in
Malaysia. The government should step up efforts to implement positive policy
measures to counter hate speech and intolerance, especially by political
leaders. And law enforcement officers should unequivocally, and publicly
condemn all forms of hate directed toward migrants and refugees.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020