Some abusing the words ‘human rights’
CJ: Danger arising from overuse may give the phrase negative connotations
PUTRAJAYA: There may be a need to sensitise society on the true meaning and scope of human rights as the usage of the words “human rights” has been abused by some quarters, says Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.
He said the words had been abused for ulterior motives or were being used to the extent that common sense and realities were made to take a back seat while peace, racial harmony and national security were made secondary items as well.
“The danger arising from such abuse or overuse may give those words negative connotations,” he said in his keynote address at the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human RightsCouncil of Asean Chief Justices (CACJ) High Level Asean Human Rights Dialogue: “The Rights of Accused Persons In Criminal Cases” here.
Malanjum, who is a member of CACJ, said absolute freedom was a mirage or elusive, to say the least.
“The words ‘human rights’ at any given time may bring unrealistic consequences and problems, thereby drawing adverse reactions from society,” he added.
On another matter, Malanjum said between last August and October, a total of 503,380 criminal cases were registered in Malaysia’s judicial system with 96% of them recorded in magistrate’s courts.
Speaking to reporters later, he said most of the cases involved petty offences and in Sabah, most of them involved foreigners.
“Malaysia has no choice but to remand them (the foreigners).
“I was told the Prisons Department spends RM1.4bil for food and to take care of them in a year.
“It is a very expensive affair,” he said.
He proposed that Asean arrange an exchange of prisoners programme so that those jailed in Malaysia could serve the sentence in their own countries.
“That will help the country in terms of cost saving,” said Malanjum. — Bernama
The words ‘human rights’ at any given time may bring unrealistic consequences and problems, thereby drawing adverse reactions. Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum