Suhakam, Malaysian Bar train young lawyers on indigenous rights

KUCHING: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Malaysian Bar concluded a three-day training on Indigenous Peoples’ rights for young lawyers and Suhakam officers here on Oct 24.

The Intensive Human Rights Law and Litigation Training, which began on Oct 22, was supported by the European Union through its grant project “Advancing Human Rights in Malaysia via Strategic Approaches in Education and Awareness Raising”, according to a statement on Monday (Oct 26).

The Advocates Association of Sarawak (Kuching Branch) also supported the programme, which focused on issues affecting Indigenous communities in Sarawak.

In his opening remarks, Suhakam chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus said protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights involved more than recognising land ownership.

“The protection is more than land ownership, it is the question of identity, cultural recognition and meaningful participation in various decisions on their livelihood.”

Through discussions, case studies, interactive workshops and a moot court, participants were introduced to the constitutional, statutory and customary legal frameworks governing Indigenous rights and Native Customary Rights (NCR) in Sarawak, the statement said.

It added that the training also covered litigation procedures, evidence gathering and strategies in human rights cases, as well as fundamental liberties under the Federal Constitution and the constitutional significance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Representing the Malaysian Bar, Abang Iwawan stressed the importance of MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report in understanding Indigenous rights in Sarawak.

“The safeguards concerning religion, language and Indigenous peoples discussed when Malaysia was formed remain closely connected to the concerns communities raise today.

“Lawyers need to understand what was secured, how it is reflected in our laws, and whether those protections are working for the people they were intended to serve.”

Selected participants are expected to commit pro bono hours each month to a non-governmental or civil society organisation of their choice, according to the statement.

The trainers included Native Court of Appeal Sarawak president Gabriel Gumis Humen.

Suhakam and the Malaysian Bar remain committed to developing legal capacity and partnerships that support access to justice and the protection of human rights in Malaysia, the statement added.