Human Rights Week in UCSI University

The Human Rights Week at UCSI University kick-started on Tuesday 21 July 2009 at the South Wing campus lobby. The opening was attended by Malaysian Bar Council, professional bodies, renowned NGOs and human rights groups in Malaysia such as SUARAM, Amnesty International and EMPOWER.

The President and Vice Chancellor of UCSI University Mr. Peter T.S. Ng officiated the event. In his welcome address President Ng encouraged students to participate in such events. He also welcomed guests and participants and thanked the organizers for a job well done.

“I am extremely happy today to see many students participating and showing interest in this event,” he said. “The awareness of basic human rights is equally important for everyone and I am proud that students from the school of Mass Communications in particular, in collaboration with the Malaysian Bar, have taken the lead to bring such an exciting programme to UCSI University.”

The weeklong event, which had an array of programs such as a talk on democratic governance and human rights, sensitization workshop, open debates, and charity concert, was well appreciated by the crowd which attended. The event was organized to commemorate the efforts of the United Nations on human rights and to create awareness among youths in Malaysia.

“Basically we are there to educate and create awareness of human rights,” said Davina Isaac, Amnesty International Human Rights Educational Coordinator.

According to her, Amnesty International Malaysia welcomes the idea of collaborating with the press and other NGOs to sensitize the public and bring information that relates to human rights     and human rights abuse to the public’s knowledge.

“NGOs such as Amnesty International Malaysia have always created a link with the press and the media,” she said. “Amnesty International has always believed that there should be a platform where journalist and activists should work together to create awareness.”

One of the key organizers spoke of the reason why the event is significant to UCSI University students and the Malaysian youth in general. She believes that the youths are not aware of their rights which could easily lead to ignorance of what their basic human rights are.

“The reason why we did this event is because we realize that Malaysians in general do not know about their rights,” said Lim Michelle, the main proponent of the event. She went on further, “Especially the students that I have seen in this University. By organizing this event, I hope that they can learn from the NGO’s and participate in improving their lives by knowing what their basic human rights are”.

“It relates to me in a very straight forward manner,” said Michelle. “It involves my life, my actions, my decision making process as well as how I can carry on with my life knowing that I will always be on the right path.”

Meanwhile other participants at the event spoke about certain laws that are contained in the federal constitution which they believe contravene the human rights principle of fairness, equality and justice. They feel that such laws are harsh, unacceptable and outdated in the 21^st century.

“Everyone must have his rights regardless of their status,” said Wong Chai Yi, SUARAM’s Outreach and Events Coordinator. “We have three main issues that we deal with in our NGO which are police accountability, right of refugees, and right to trial. We also feel that the Internal Security Act is a harsh legislation which should be abolished.”

EMPOWER on the other hand gave a lecture on human rights and democratic governance which they consider are reciprocal in nature.

“The concept of human rights and democratic governance are mutually reinforcing, both being based on core principles of participation, accountability, transparency and state responsibility”, said Pook Li Yoon and Ong Jlng Cheng, representatives of EMPOWER.

The event ended on a lighter note with the democratic governance and human rights talk delivered by both representatives of EMPOWER.