CSOs urge Suhakam to return funds it received from EU

KUALA LUMPUR - Civil society organisations (CSO) have urged for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to return the funds it received from the European Union (EU).

Malaysian Alliance of Civil Society Organisations in the Universal Periodic Review Process (Macsa) chairman Lukman Sheriff Alias said action needed to be taken to ensure the independence of the commission and that it abided by the Federal Constitution.

He said Section 19 of the Suhakam Act provides that the commission shall not receive any foreign funds except for the purpose of providing education or promoting awareness.

“Generally, foreign funds received for geopolitical interests are masked as human rights purposes.

“That is why we are worried and we think that foreign funds (received) should not even be used for education or promoting awareness.

“This is because usually such funds come with (geopolitics-related) conditions which they are forced to follow and it is clear that it is not the same practice here in Malaysia,” he said in a press conference, here, today.

Among the CSOs present were Pertubuhan Pembela-Pembela Islam (Pembela), Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) and Malaysia Muslim Lawyers' Association (PPMM).

Masca co-chairman professor Dr Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar and PPIM activist Datuk Nadzim Johan were also present during the press conference.

Last year, it was reported that the EU delegation in Malaysia and Suhakam signed a contract to implement a three-year project on human rights with an estimated grant worth 500,000 Euros (RM2.31 million).

The signatories were EU Ambassador to Malaysia Michalis Rokas and Suhakam chairman Professor Datuk Dr Rahmat Mohamad.

Commenting further, Lukman said he was of the view that details of the funds received by Suhakam should be made public.

This, he said was to ensure transparency and to make sure that the commission was not “controlled” by certain parties.

Meanwhile, Lukman also lauded the Suhakam new leadership line-up due to its inclusiveness compared to the previous line-up.

He said this was proven through the successful engagement session with the commission’s new line-up.

“The difference could be seen. Previously, when the Muslim CSOs hold engagement sessions, they would not be entertained,” he said.

He hoped that Suhakam will remain inclusive by letting all CSOs be involved in protecting human rights.