Media Statement
Musa Should Take a Back Seat - Not Human Rights
Musa Hitam is the one who should take a back seat - not human rights. Human rights are sacrosanct to the notion of justice and cannot be sacrificed for any political reasons.
Though the commissioners are government-appointed officials who "hold office for a period of two years" and are "eligible for reappointment" on the "recommendation of the Prime Minister," Suhakam itself cannot be abrogated by the government. It can only be dissolved by Parliament.
It is pertinent to note that commissioners' terms of office are due to expire in six months.
Stating that Suhakam "would give the government the benefit of the doubt" at this juncture is bound to raise eyebrows and provoke speculation. This is extremely unfair to those courageous commissioners who have been in the forefront, discharging their duties under oppressive circumstances.
Under no circumstances should the "war against terrorism" be used to justify human rights violations. Unlike Musa, we do not believe there can be any "compromise" in upholding human rights.
If Musa is unable to discharge his duties under these new, trying times, he should take a back seat - or better still vacate his seat.
P Ramakrisnan
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It is preposterous for Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Musa Hitam to state that human rights "will have to take a back seat" in the fight against terrorism." It is totally unacceptable and Aliran completely rejects his views.
Suhakam is not a government-backed commission as erroneously believed by some. It is a creation by an Act of Parliament. It is an independent body - it is not accountable to the government but only answerable to Parliament.