Daulat Tuanku

Monica Vincent writes about a Human Rights workshop for police trainers takes place in Malaysia

Last week, the capital city of Kuala Lumpur was in a flurry of activity as it hosted the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers. Also for the first time it hosted a Commonwealth human rights workshop, for police trainers from ASEAN countries.

The five-day workshop offered an overview of international human rights standards and the importance of human rights based approaches to policing. One highlight of the workshop was the methodology used- it was largely activity based and surprising for participants. Imagine police officers blowing balloons and actively participating in a number of innovative games!

Every activity had an underpinning human rights message. The officers not only enjoyed the interactive sessions but also responded positively and frankly. For instance, during the course of the workshop, one officer mentioned that respecting human rights means whilst interrogation or arrest, the morale of the suspect should not be diminished by stripping off clothes. Another said that although he had only a few years before retiring, the officer would strive to instil and disseminate the importance of human rights amongst juniors and colleagues. These were words from high ranking officers from different departments in the police. It was also encouraging to hear that participants felt the onus to take back these messages to their respective departments to better enhance human rights.

This was the first HRU workshop in Malaysia and it enjoyed good press and media coverage. A popular newspaper carried a piece on the core message of our workshop which emphasised that protecting and promoting human rights is not in contradiction of good policing but in fact they are complementary to each other. (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/2583368/Article/index_html)

For the host country, Malaysia, this workshop was undoubtedly a big achievement as it successfully pulled together participation from the ASEAN region (Brunei, Singapore, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) wherein 27 officers including more than a dozen from the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) benefited from this workshop. Our local host, the RMP and the Ministry of Home Affairs were not only thoroughly professional but also extended unparalleled Malaysian hospitality.

Malaysia has an ethnically and culturally diverse population, which comprises of the Malays, Chinese, Indians and a myriad of ethnic indigenous groups. The country is grappling with a number of human rights challenges. For instance, the affirmative action of the state largely benefits the Malays and is resented by many others. Further, the Internal Security Act is notorious and unpopular, allowing renewable two-year detention periods and popularly (and internationally) perceived to be used in order to suppress human rights. In working with the HRU, and through other initiatives, the government is showing its intention to improve the situation.

The head of the state is the King and his role is largely ceremonial, although he is the nominal head of the armed forces, all laws and the appointment of every cabinet minister require his assent. And ‘Daulat Tuanku’ in Malay language means praise the King. Banners carrying this message were displayed across the city of Kuala Lumpur and in some places it was displayed every hundred yards.

Posted by Monica Vincent at Jun 26 2009 9:52AM