PCA will come under fire at UN review, warns Suhakam

The forthcoming UN review on human rights will not look kindly upon Malaysia's recently amended Prevention of Crime Act 1959 for its preventive detention laws, warns the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

The universal periodic review (UPR) to take place at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, on Oct 24, aims to improve the human rights situation on the ground in all member countries.

The review, Suhakam chairperson Hasmy Agam (left) said in a statement today, aims to assess Malaysia's implementation recommendations made in earlier reviews, as well as new developments.

"The commission wishes to bring to the attention of the government that its current legislative initiatives in the interests of public security, public order or prevention of crime, in particular the amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959, which include provisions that are retrogressive in nature and inconsistent with fundamental human rights principles, will open the country to scrutiny and criticism by the international community, which will indirectly affect Malaysia’s human rights record at international fora," Hasmy warned.

The amendments to the PCA, which some say were "bulldozedthrough Parliament" last week despite vehement opposition from all around, have been called everything from "unconstitutional" to "regressive".

The government claims that preventive detention is critical to put a lid on a crime situation spiralling out of control. However, critics argue that it bypasses the judicial process and places power in the hands of a select few.

[More to follow]