Latest news with #ConventionontheRightsoftheChild
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Expert: Malaysia must balance law and humanity in Rohingya refugee crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must urgently strike a balance between its domestic immigration policies and international humanitarian obligations in addressing the plight of Myanmar refugees, analysts say. Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of International Studies (Academic and International) deputy dean Dr Shazwanis Shukri said that while deporting the Rohingya — who make up the majority of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia — was not a viable option, the existing policy vacuum remained deeply concerning. She said that refugees continued to be treated as undocumented migrants, leaving thousands in legal limbo and vulnerable to exploitation, detention, and abuse. "The reality is that Malaysia has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, and therefore does not formally recognise refugees within its legal framework. "However, under customary international law, we are bound by the principle of non-refoulement — meaning we cannot return them to a country where they face persecution," she told the New Straits Times. Shazwanis said one practical approach would be to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to register Rohingya asylum seekers and issue identification cards that provide limited protection from arrest or deportation. However, she said that this informal arrangement had clear limitations, leaving many in prolonged uncertainty without access to legal employment, public education, or government healthcare services. To address these gaps, she proposed the introduction of a temporary protection framework tailored for the Rohingya community, recognising their unique status as stateless individuals and victims of systematic ethnic persecution. "This could include temporary residency rights, legal access to employment in specific sectors, and minimal access to essential services such as healthcare and education — ideally in partnership with NGOs and UN agencies," she said. Without such measures, Shazwanis said, Malaysia risked a cascade of humanitarian, legal, diplomatic, and security challenges. Legally, the government's current stance also contradicts its commitments under international conventions it has ratified, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). "There is also a growing security dimension to consider. Leaving a large population in limbo, with no legal status or livelihood options, creates opportunities for human trafficking, forced labour, and even recruitment into extremist networks," she added. She also urged a more active regional response through Asean, highlighting the absence of a formal refugee framework within the bloc. Meanwhile, Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said Malaysia should refrain from deporting Myanmar refugees, regardless of whether they are officially recognised by the UNHCR. "This is not about interfering in Myanmar's domestic affairs — it is a humanitarian matter. Deporting them now, under the current regime, risks exposing them to political persecution," he said. Azmi added that Malaysia had long accommodated not only Myanmar refugees but also undocumented migrants from other parts of the region, including Indonesia, despite lacking a formal refugee policy. As Asean chair this year, he said Malaysia had a chance to demonstrate leadership through compassion. "We must lead by example and show that we are capable of hosting the Rohingya, even if the Myanmar junta disapproves. "Until Myanmar returns to civilian rule and upholds the Asean Five-Point Consensus, we must prioritise humanitarian values." On June 16, Myanmar refugees in Malaysia
The Star
13-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Community-based approach to tackle child labour in Sabah plantations
KOTA KINABALU: Efforts to protect children in Sabah's oil palm plantations from exploitation and to ensure they receive the education they deserve are showing promising results, yet much more remains to be done. In conjunction with World Day Against Child Labour (June 12), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and European Union (EU) have renewed their call for sustained and coordinated efforts to end child labour in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah, where nearly 20,000 children were working in plantations according to the last national survey in 2018. 'Child labour robs children of their right to safety, education, and a better future. On this day, we are reminded that collective action is key to ensuring no child is left behind,' said EU Delegation to Thailand's head of cooperation, Tom Corrie. He added that child labour is deeply rooted in poverty, limited access to education, and entrenched social norms. In a joint statement on Friday (June 13), the ILO and Unicef, with support from the EU, stressed their commitment to tackling the issue through community-based solutions that prioritise education, family well-being, and meaningful opportunities for youth. ALSO READ: Unicef, ILO and EU launch joint programme to address child labour in Sabah A dialogue titled "Generasi Sang Pemimpi: Sama-sama menentang buruh kanak-kanak" (Generation of Dreamers: United against child labour) was held in Tawau on Thursday to explore ways of empowering young people to combat child labour and expand access to education. The event highlighted that over 150 children and youth in the area have benefitted from vocational and life skills training designed to provide alternative pathways beyond plantation work. In addition, more than 220 smallholders have taken part in awareness sessions focused on child rights, the importance of education, and the long-term harm caused by child labour. Another initiative, the Tuai Cerita Fellowship, is empowering 15 local content creators to advocate for children's rights through storytelling. These efforts are supported by local partners, including Project Liber8, Anak, and Global Shepherds. To guide long-term action, a comprehensive study led by the Social Policy Research Institute (SPRI) is underway to identify barriers children face in accessing essential services, particularly education. The findings will inform a strategic roadmap for collaboration among government, industry and civil society. 'These actions show that Malaysia is committed to ending child labour. But we must continue pushing forward. "The private sector and workers' organisations have a crucial role to play in ensuring their supply chains are free from child labour," said ILO deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific, Tuomo Poutiainen. This year also marks three decades since Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a timely reminder of the nation's pledge to protect every child's right to education, safety, and a childhood free from exploitation. Looking ahead, the ILO and Unicef are calling for increased investment in social protection systems, greater access to quality education, especially in rural and underserved communities, and the promotion of decent work for adults and youth. 'Child labour is not just a legal or policy issue … it is a human issue. It denies children their right to simply be children. We must build a world where every child is heard, protected, and given the full opportunity to reach their potential,' said Unicef representative in Malaysia, Robert Gass. As the world marks the Day Against Child Labour, the message from Sabah is clear: no child should have to choose between survival and school.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Remove high-tension power lines running over school premises: Haryana human rights panel
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has issued directions to the state government to remove high tension electricity lines running over educational institutions across the state. The HHRC in a May 29 order said that the presence of high-tension (HT) electricity wires over school premises was a grave violation of human rights. The commission said that such conditions endangered the life, health, and safe learning environment of children, thus violating their fundamental rights. The commission comprising chairperson Justice (retd) Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia noted that a decision was taken as far back as 2013 under the chairmanship of the then chief minister that all high-tension power lines passing over government schools, polytechnics, civil hospitals and veterinary hospitals must be removed by June 15, 2013. The expenses for this exercise were to be borne by the power department. 'However, even after more than a decade, the issue remains unresolved,'' the commission noted. The HHRC ordered that power department additional chief secretary, managing directors of the two power distribution companies – the Uttar Haryana and Dakshin Bijli Vitran Nigams and that of the transmission company- the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam, directors of secondary and elementary education to submit a detailed report within two months detailing actions taken so far and the timeline for removal of such high-tension electricity lines. As per the orders of the commission, the report is to be submitted on the next hearing on August 6 via video conferencing. The commission observed that it is extremely unfortunate that thousands of school children continue to risk their lives daily due to the presence of overhead high-tension electricity wires. This situation not only violated Article 21 of the Constitution but also contravened the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The HHRC said in their order that action must be taken strictly in accordance with the decision of March 18, 2013, and any contradictory decisions made in 2022 cannot override the earlier mandate.
Daily Maverick
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Protecting our children: A call to honour our commitment to future generations
In May each year, South Africa pauses to reflect on one of its most urgent responsibilities: protecting its children. While many countries mark a day or a week focused on children's rights, South Africa is among the few with a dedicated Child Protection Month — a national effort that signals deep political and moral commitment. That commitment is rooted in the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela, whose words continue to echo: 'There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.' The 16th of June 2025, commemorated as Youth Day in this country, and the Day of the African Child continentally, will mark 30 years since South Africa ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Adopted in 1989, the convention is the most ratified human rights treaty in the world and was the first international human rights treaty ratified by South Africa under its new democratic government. And yet, despite this legacy, thousands of children in South Africa continue to face violence, exploitation and neglect. Child Protection Month is not simply a calendar event — it is a national moment to ask whether we are living up to the promise made to the children of this country. The numbers tell a grim story According to the Child Series Volume III Reported Crime Against Children by Statistics South Africa, that promise remains unfulfilled, with rape, assault and child abuse routinely high in the list of crimes reported against children. In the 2022/23 period alone, 64,533 children were victims of crime in South Africa, and each day three children are killed, 28 children are violently attacked, and 58 children are sexually violated. While the president has rightfully declared gender-based violence a pandemic, it is worth noting that child victims account for nearly 40% of the more than 21,000 sexual offences reported in South Africa in 2022/23. This is a staggering proportion, considering that children make up just over a third of the population. Given the high levels of violence against children in South Africa, it is unsurprising that this same violence resurfaces a generation later as the legacy of trauma perpetuates more harm. Both global and national data tell us that girls exposed to violence are more likely to be victims of inter-personal violence, and similarly, boys exposed to violence are more likely to become perpetuators of violence. Child Protection Week is an opportunity to amplify calls for this cycle of violence to stop. Government has responded but systemic barriers persist In recent months the government, led by the departments of Social Development and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, has escalated its response by establishing a dedicated gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) Priority Committee within the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints). Through a 90-day acceleration programme to address GBVF, national departments have committed to fast-track the implementation of prevention and response services across all nine provinces. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) views this as a critical step in the right direction. But as the statistics show, these strong commitments need to translate into sustained, systemic change that lasts well beyond the allotted 90 days. Knowing how much is actually spent on preventing and responding to violence against children is a persistent issue, as budgeting for child protection is scattered across departments and seldom tracked. Moreover, at district and municipal levels — where services are closest to families — violence prevention is still not prioritised in integrated development plans. On the ground, many social workers are overstretched and tasked with statutory child removal cases, with little capacity for preventive or restorative interventions. Crucially, children themselves remain excluded from decision-making processes that directly affect their safety and dignity. From crisis to commitment To achieve the promise of safety and care for every child, Unicef proposes three urgent policy actions: Establish a dedicated public budget line for violence prevention across national and provincial departments, with regular public reporting on expenditure specific to children. Mandate the integration of child protection as a priority — including violence prevention — into district and municipal integrated development plans, with performance targets and ringfenced funding. Institutionalise child participation in policy development, programme design, and monitoring — in particular within the National Strategic Plan for GBVF — to ensure that children's realities and voices shape the systems meant to protect them. We know that violence against children is both preventable and necessary for the fostering of a healthy, happy society. Effective prevention requires moving beyond short-term responses to a focus on innovation, stronger coordination and meaningful systemic change. If South Africa is to fully honour its commitment to children — as enshrined in its globally admired Constitution and in the vision of a post-apartheid, democratic society — then we must go beyond the talk. Child Protection Month must leave a tangible legacy – a shift from crisis response to systemic prevention, lives safeguarded, futures restored and children truly heard. DM
The Star
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
High-rise tragedies show a systemic failure to ensure child safety, says children's commissioner
PETALING JAYA: Recent fatal falls from high-rise buildings involving children reflect a prevalent failure to prioritise their safety in the home, says the Suhakam children's commissioner. Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said such cases could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place, coupled with awareness and enforcement of safety regulations. "These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents," she said in a statement on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: Safer high-rises for kids "They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings. "These children did not have to die," she added. She said the recent cases were a direct consequence of a systemic failure to prioritise child safety where it matters most – in the home. "As a party to the (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia is duty-bound to protect every child's right to life, development, and protection from foreseeable harm. ALSO READ: Four-year-old boy dies after fall from 30th-floor of Bukit Jalil apartment "A safe home environment is not a luxury. "Providing a safe home environment is a legal and moral obligation," she said. Her remarks follow the death of a four-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen from the 30th-floor balcony of an apartment in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (June 5) morning. On May 21, a seven-year-old girl fell from the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. On May 17, a boy aged two years and eight months died after falling from the seventh floor of a public housing unit in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. ALSO READ: Seven-year-old girl dies after falling from Puchong condo The Star had previously highlighted the dangers posed to children living in high-rise buildings and suggestions by child activists on how to better ensure their safety. Dr Farah called in both Federal and state authorities, including stakeholders, to urgently implement measures to prevent further tragedies. Among them, she said, were enacting specific laws to enhance child safety in high-rise residential buildings. "This includes making it mandatory for all apartment and flat units, including rental units, to be equipped with safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies. "Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations," she said. ALSO READ: Boy dies in fall from seventh floor of Putrajaya housing block At present, under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than 1m or 1,000mm in height, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. However, it is mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. "Current building design for child safety standards must be reviewed and integrated as mandatory requirements in all high-rise residential developments," Dr Farah said. She also called on local authorities to conduct regular and strict compliance inspections of high-rise units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. "To all parents, while we push for reforms to take place, in the meantime, vigilance is key. "If you live in a high-rise residence, never leave young children unattended, and ensure safety measures are installed," she added.
