Suhakam calls for awareness to counter stigmatisation of ex-convicts

KAJANG - The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) welcomes alternative initiatives on reintegration to communities other than juvenile justice to promote youth development in community after rehabilitation.

Its Commissioner Professor Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal during her speech at “Youturn Day: Welcoming Prisoners Back to the Society” programme at Kajang Prison, here, said children at a young age were easier to be taught.

“Moreover, children who were in conflict were easier to be exposed to and were at higher risk to face stigma and social exile due to the community's negative perception.

“Though parents played an important role, sometimes they also need assistance from the government,” she said.

Speaking of the stigma, Aziah agreed that being ex-convicts infused very strong stigmatic perspectives from the community.

Thus, she said those ex-convicts should be given a chance to work to start a new life.

“That’s why we must give them a chance, they have been in prison for months and years. We must trust the Prisons Department for the rehabilitation programme.

“We also need to have awareness and accept them as human beings. What happened should be in their past,” she said.

She further added that the community - Suhakam, non-government organisations (NGO) and politicians should cooperate more and bring out role models from the prisons.