Team ABA

AICHR-CACJ High Level ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue: The Rights of Accused Persons in Criminal Cases

Team ABA December 13, 2018

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia | The High Level Dialogue was a follow up to the AICHR Judicial Colloquium on the Sharing of Good Practices Regarding International Human Rights Law held in 2017. In his welcoming remarks, Edmund Bon touched on the mandates of the Representatives of the AICHR, the various rights of accused persons as in the AHRD, and the nexus between human rights and SDG 16.

AICHR-CACJ High Level ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue: The rights of accused persons in criminal cases, 11 December 2018, Putrajaya, Malaysia

Team ABA December 12, 2018

AICHR | The AICHR recognised that fair trial rights was expressly stated in the AHRD, and this Dialogue was important to learn about how the Judiciaries played their role to interpret and apply laws on this matter. Chief Justices, Senior Judges and members of the CACJ, representatives of the AICHR and the ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting, and regional human rights experts attended the Dialogue.

Some quarters abuse the words ‘human rights’: Chief Justice

Team ABA December 11, 2018

The Sun Daily | In his keynote address at the AICHR-CACJ High Level ASEAN Human Rights Dialogue on “The Rights of Accused Persons in Criminal Cases”, Chief Justice Richard Malanjum said there may be a need to sensitise society on the true meaning and scope of human rights. Edmund Bon is Malaysia’s Representative to the AICHR.

Breaking resistance to human rights: Democracies and Rohingya

Team ABA December 6, 2018

The Jakarta Post | Despite Myanmar’s request for help from ASEAN in April 2018, at least one member actively rejected any discussion on Rakhine within ASEAN. This led Dinna Wisnu and Edmund Bon, Indonesia and Malaysia’s respective representative to the AICHR, to issued a joint media statement on April 23 to attract urgent attention from ASEAN authorities.

AICHR — ASEAN human rights rep says Malaysia regarded as ‘new beacon of hope and democracy’

Team ABA November 27, 2018

Southeast Asia Globe | Edmund Bon Tai Soon is the Malaysian representative to AICHR, and is coming to the end of his three-year term. He spoke to Southeast Asia Globe about the Commission’s work, AHRD and human rights in Malaysia under its newly elected government.

7 names shortlisted to represent Malaysia in AICHR

Team ABA November 23, 2018

New Straits Times | Edmund Bon is one of seven candidates shortlisted for the position of Malaysia’s Representative to AICHR for the 2019-2021 session. The candidates are of various backgrounds — including lawyers, academicians, activists — and are linked to human rights activities.

Continued efforts to secure safe drinking water, sanitation in ASEAN

Team ABA November 18, 2018

New Straits Times | This AICHR thematic study is a continuous effort by Malaysia in strengthening the process of integration and development of the ASEAN community in promoting and protecting human rights to secure safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in the region.

Press release: First coordination meeting for AICHR Thematic Study on the Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in ASEAN

Team ABA November 18, 2018

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia | AICHR organised the First Coordination Meeting for AICHR Thematic Study on the Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in ASEAN on 18 November 2018. The Thematic Study will encompass the mapping of the legal framework related to water and sanitation of the ASEAN Member States.

Hoe Sue Lu’s call to the Bar

Team ABA November 14, 2018

Fahri Azzat moved Sue Lu’s call to the Bar.

Musa’s lawyer questions timing of client’s arrest ahead of Chief Minister decision

Team ABA November 5, 2018

The Star | Musa Aman’s legal counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad said that his client’s arrest by the MACC — ahead of a High Court decision on who the rightful Sabah Chief Minister is — was highly questionable.

Musa Aman accused of pocketing RM264mil of logging bribes using six banks and six proxies

Team ABA November 5, 2018

The Star | Former Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman was slapped with 35 charges of graft at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. Musa’s lead counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad mitigated for a lower bail amount, citing full cooperation given by his client to the authorities.

AICHR raises better awareness on the rights of the child

Team ABA October 30, 2018

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations | The dialogue held by AICHR Philippines and AICHR-Singapore sought to raise awareness and increase understanding on the implementation of the rights of the child by focusing on the three Optional Protocols of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Lens on death penalty

Team ABA September 30, 2018

The Star | The impact and effect of the death penalty in Malaysia has long been debated, hence, when lawyers Seira Sacha Abu Bakar and Sherrie Razak heard about Mainthan’s case from their friend, human rights lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad who represented him for his second review application at the Federal Court, they knew straight away that they have to highlight his story in a documentary.

Malaysian Parliament reaffirms commitment to freedom of expression

Team ABA September 26, 2018

UNESCO | UNESCO welcomed this Roundtable as an opportunity to collaborate with the Malaysian Parliament and SUHAKAM to strengthen freedom of expression in Malaysia. Participants discussed issues such as how to define freedom of expression, benefits and challenges to enacting an access to information law, various perspectives on decriminalisation of defamation, and media self-regulation.

Lawyers: New EC chief Art Harun right man for the job

Team ABA September 22, 2018

Malay Mail | Azhar Azizan @ Harun is the right person to lead the Election Commission (EC) and bring about electoral reforms as he is widely known for his integrity, his fellow lawyers have said. Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad said that Azhar is someone who firmly believes in the supremacy of the Constitution and separation of powers.

The troubles of Tommy Thomas

Team ABA September 20, 2018

BFM | Edmund Bon, Malaysian Representative of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) urged the government to separate the office of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor, and to be steadfast in implementing law reforms.

‘Circling’ around human rights

Team ABA September 19, 2018

New Naratif | The AICHR was often criticised for being ineffectual and “toothless” when it came to addressing the region’s human rights issues. Representatives said that while there had been some progress, it ultimately came down to the individuals within the body. Edmund Bon, Malaysia’s AICHR representative, noted it was difficult to get everyone to adopt a shared position.

Prosecution drops sedition cases against PSM’s Arul, lawyer Eric Paulsen

Team ABA August 15, 2018

Malay Mail | The prosecution today withdrew its two separate sedition cases against Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) politician S. Arutchelvan and human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen. Lawyer New Sin Yew represented Arul, while lawyer Latheefa Koya represented Paulsen.