At national level, Malaysia has a specific commission dealings with an overarching issues of human rights. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1999 under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (Act 597).
The main functions of the Commission are:
- to promote awareness of and provide education in relation to human rights.
- to advise and assist the government in formulating legislation and procedures and recommend necessary measures to be taken.
- to recommend to the government regarding accession to international human rights instruments.
- to inquire into complaints regarding infringements of human rights.
With the goal of achieving greater fulfillment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, the Commission makes it a point:
- to monitor the human rights impact of the government's law reforms;
- to monitor the exercise of freedom of assembly; and
- to monitor conditions in places of detention.
Additionally, it works to ensure the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, women, older persons, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, refugees, asylum seekers and detainees.
- Review in 2014
- SUHAKAM response to the Questionnaire of the UNOHCHR on the role of prevention in the protection and promotion og human rights, International Coordination Division, SUHAKAM.
