Protection of children’s rights should be independent

KUALA LUMPUR: An independent Children’s Commission is crucial in protecting and promoting the rights of all children in Malaysia holistically and systematically, said Children’s Commis-sioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki.

At present, the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) is under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suha-kam).

But the Children’s Commission of Malaysia Bill, which will separate it from Suhakam, is slated to be tabled next month.

Farah said that a Children’s Commission that is endowed with the function and mandate enshrined in a specific Act will become a body with the responsibility to advocate for and enhance the rights of children.

“And specifically, children of the vulnerable community, including persons with disabilities and rural communities in Sabah and Sarawak,” she said in a statement reported by Bernama.

To date, more than 50 countries worldwide have established their respective oversight bodies for children, she added.

In a separate statement, 12 civil society organisations fully supported the initiative to establish a Children’s Commission for Malay-sia.

“There must be a special provision to allow the commission to present an annual report to Parliament.

“The commission’s decisions and recommendations should be acted upon by the ministries,” read the statement.