Human Right Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)The initiative to set up a national human rights institution in Malaysia began with Malaysia’s active participation in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in 1993-95 when it was elected as a member by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Tan Sri Dato’ Musa bin Hitam leader of the Malaysian delegation, was elected as the Chairman of the 52nd session of the UNCHR in 1995, followed by a second term and third term in 1996-98, 2001- 2003 respectively.In 1994 Tan Sri Musa suggested to the Government to establish its own independent national human rights institution. Several factors influenced this proposal including the growing international emphasis on human rights and recognition that it crosses boundaries and sovereignty; Malaysia’s active involvement in the United Nations system; the changing political climate in Malaysia with a more politically conscious electorate and dynamic civil society.On 24 April 1999, the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, announced that a Bill would be tabled in the July 1999 sitting of Parliament to establish the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. The Bill was guided by the 1993 Paris Principles which provided the international criteria for an independent human rights commission, and also by the experience of established human rights institutions, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 [Act 597] which was gazetted on 9 September 1999. The inaugural meeting was held on 24 April 2000.On 3 April 2000, it was announced that, Tan Sri Dato’ Musa bin Hitam was appointed as SUHAKAM’s first Chairman, together with 12 other members to serve a renewable two-year term. SUHAKAM members were selected to reflect the diversity and pluralism of Malaysian society and also on the basis of the experience, commitment, independence and integrity of the individual.The SUHAKAM secretariat began operating from a container cabin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra). SUHAKAM moved to its own premises on the 29th and 30th floors of Menara Tun Razak at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2000. Since January 2011, SUHAKAM relocated to its current premise on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th floor of Menara TH Perdana at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The building was chosen in particular for its central location and easy access to the public.The Office of Children’s Commission was established within SUHAKAM, under the same Act since 23 August 2019. The Children’s Commissioner focuses on the promotion and protection of children’s rights including rights of indigenous children, migrants, refugees, undocumented, stateless and children with disabilities, which are all underpinned by the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Human Right Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)The initiative to set up a national human rights institution in Malaysia began with Malaysia’s active participation in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in 1993-95 when it was elected as a member by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Tan Sri Dato’ Musa bin Hitam leader of the Malaysian delegation, was elected as the Chairman of the 52nd session of the UNCHR in 1995, followed by a second term and third term in 1996-98, 2001- 2003 respectively.In 1994 Tan Sri Musa suggested to the Government to establish its own independent national human rights institution. Several factors influenced this proposal including the growing international emphasis on human rights and recognition that it crosses boundaries and sovereignty; Malaysia’s active involvement in the United Nations system; the changing political climate in Malaysia with a more politically conscious electorate and dynamic civil society.On 24 April 1999, the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, announced that a Bill would be tabled in the July 1999 sitting of Parliament to establish the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. The Bill was guided by the 1993 Paris Principles which provided the international criteria for an independent human rights commission, and also by the experience of established human rights institutions, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 [Act 597] which was gazetted on 9 September 1999. The inaugural meeting was held on 24 April 2000.On 3 April 2000, it was announced that, Tan Sri Dato’ Musa bin Hitam was appointed as SUHAKAM’s first Chairman, together with 12 other members to serve a renewable two-year term. SUHAKAM members were selected to reflect the diversity and pluralism of Malaysian society and also on the basis of the experience, commitment, independence and integrity of the individual.The SUHAKAM secretariat began operating from a container cabin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra). SUHAKAM moved to its own premises on the 29th and 30th floors of Menara Tun Razak at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2000. Since January 2011, SUHAKAM relocated to its current premise on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th floor of Menara TH Perdana at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The building was chosen in particular for its central location and easy access to the public.The Office of Children’s Commission was established within SUHAKAM, under the same Act since 23 August 2019. The Children’s Commissioner focuses on the promotion and protection of children’s rights including rights of indigenous children, migrants, refugees, undocumented, stateless and children with disabilities, which are all underpinned by the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Human Right Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)The initiative to set up a national human rights institution in Malaysia began with Malaysia’s active participation in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in 1993-95 when it was elected as a member by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Tan Sri Dato’ Musa bin Hitam leader of the Malaysian delegation, was elected as the Chairman of the 52nd session of the UNCHR in 1995, followed by a second term and third term in 1996-98, 2001- 2003 respectively.In 1994 Tan Sri Musa suggested to the Government to establish its own independent national human rights institution. Several factors influenced this proposal including the growing international emphasis on human rights and recognition that it crosses boundaries and sovereignty; Malaysia’s active involvement in the United Nations system; the changing political climate in Malaysia with a more politically conscious electorate and dynamic civil society.On 24 April 1999, the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, announced that a Bill would be tabled in the July 1999 sitting of Parliament to establish the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. The Bill was guided by the 1993 Paris Principles which provided the international criteria for an independent human rights commission, and also by the experience of established human rights institutions, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 [Act 597] which was gazetted on 9 September 1999. The inaugural meeting was held on 24 April 2000.On 3 April 2000, it was announced that, Tan Sri Dato’ Musa bin Hitam was appointed as SUHAKAM’s first Chairman, together with 12 other members to serve a renewable two-year term. SUHAKAM members were selected to reflect the diversity and pluralism of Malaysian society and also on the basis of the experience, commitment, independence and integrity of the individual.The SUHAKAM secretariat began operating from a container cabin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra). SUHAKAM moved to its own premises on the 29th and 30th floors of Menara Tun Razak at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2000. Since January 2011, SUHAKAM relocated to its current premise on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th floor of Menara TH Perdana at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. The building was chosen in particular for its central location and easy access to the public.The Office of Children’s Commission was established within SUHAKAM, under the same Act since 23 August 2019. The Children’s Commissioner focuses on the promotion and protection of children’s rights including rights of indigenous children, migrants, refugees, undocumented, stateless and children with disabilities, which are all underpinned by the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.