Dec 4, 2023 | DFF, Tools for MPs
Leaders across Southeast Asia are increasingly adopting laws that restrict fundamental freedoms. In this context, parliamentarians, through their legislative mandate, become an important shield against further erosion of human rights. Members of Parliament (MPs) can repeal or amend restrictive bills as they reach parliament.
To be able to engage them effectively, APHR and civil society organizations in Southeast Asia must be able to understand and know the parliamentary legislative process. However, the legislative system can seem complex to those unfamiliar with it and is perceived as overwhelming or intimidating to many who try to navigate it in almost absolute darkness.
To respond to this gap, APHR carried out research in a total of five countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, to better understand and unpack the legislative processes in each country. The research covered the legislative process, including the different stages a bill can go through, how to write an amendment, who can initiate a bill, what is the usual practice in the country, as well as effective entry points for law reform advocacy.
The research was completed in early 2023 and it was based on desk research, including a review of Constitutions, parliamentary rules and procedures, Speaker rulings, reports, and other relevant sources. Interviews with MPs, MPs staff, and civil society were also carried out to ensure the research reflected the actual practices or conventions on the ground.
The research is then developed into a pedagogical and accessible report to explain the different steps in the legislative procedures and where MPs can intervene to either amend or repeal a law and to be made available to civil society partners to engage more effectively with the parliamentary process.
DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT HERE
Jun 8, 2023 | DFF, Statements, Tools for MPs
KUALA LUMPUR – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), in partnership with the office of the Speaker of Malaysia’s House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), has launched the Toolkit for Parliamentarians to Promote Counter Narrative to Hate Speech Towards Migrants and Refugees in Malaysia.
The launch, which was held in the Malaysian parliament, was attended by members of parliament (MPs), the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Malaysia, ambassadors and representatives of foreign embassies in Malaysia, members of civil society, as well as the media.
“I urge all MPs present here today to utilize this toolkit as a powerful tool in raising awareness about the issue of hate against migrants and refugees. By doing so, we can collectively work towards creating a more inclusive and human rights-respecting society,” said Malaysian House Speaker Dato’ Johari bin Abdul.
Due to its diversity, strategic location, relatively stronger economy, and workforce needs, Malaysia is one of the largest migrant-receiving countries in Southeast Asia. However, migration remains a sensitive topic in the country, with a vast majority of Malaysians having negative perceptions of migrants and refugees.
Mainstream political leaders, such as MPs, play an important role in the construction of narratives on migration. Political narratives that emphasize the positive role of migrants and refugees in society and economies have proven to be successful in limiting the rise and influence of negative migration narratives. This is why APHR has created this toolkit, which aims to help parliamentarians become agents of social progress by using their voice to spread positive counter-narratives to hate speech towards migrants in Malaysia.
“We hope that this toolkit can empower MPs to take action against hate speech towards migrants and refugees, promote positive narratives and end harmful perceptions, stereotypes, and disinformation about these communities and celebrate their contributions to economic growth, social development, cultural enrichment, so we can build a Malaysia that thrives in diversity,” said APHR member and Malaysian MP Wong Chen.
The toolkit includes an explanation of what constitutes hate speech and the importance of countering such speech, as well as possible strategies that MPs can use to promote positive narratives about migrants and refugees both in parliament and in their respective constituencies.
“The role of parliamentarians in building inclusive and fair societies cannot be overemphasized. As political leaders elected by their constituencies, they have a paramount responsibility and undeniable power to influence public policies and shape the discourse on human rights, tolerance, solidarity, and inclusiveness,” said UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia Karima El Korri.
Click here to download the toolkit in English.
Click here to download the toolkit in Bahasa Malaysia.
Jun 21, 2022 | DFF, Tools for MPs
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the United Nations, under which States’ human rights records are reviewed by other States, every four and a half years.
Parliamentarians play a critical role at each stage of the UPR process. To help Indonesian representatives make the most of the UPR process, APHR presents this Toolkit for Parliamentarians: Indonesia UPR, in English and Bahasa Indonesian. It provides an explanation of the process, how Members of Parliament (MPs) can contribute to it, and what recommendations they can make to foster freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Indonesia.
DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT IN ENGLISH HERE.
DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT IN BAHASA INDONESIAN HERE.
Mar 2, 2022 | Internet Freedoms, Tools for MPs
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the role of the Internet as a basic necessity, indispensable to conducting work, attending school, and participating in social and political activities. In January 2021, around 59.5% of the world’s population was using the Internet, 10% of which is in Southeast Asia. The United Nations and many governments around the world have also recognized internet access as a human right, the fulfilment of which relies on the safe and free exercise of Internet freedoms.
As Internet use continuously grows, it has also become a battleground for human rights, with state and non-state actors using it to either put people at risk of human rights abuses or prevent individuals from fully and safely exercising their Internet freedoms.
To empower parliamentarians (MPs) to advocate for internet freedoms, APHR in partnership with the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL), presents this Toolkit for Parliamentarians: Promoting Internet Freedoms in Southeast Asia. It introduces the international norms and standards governing internet freedoms, highlights common and pressing challenges found in the region, and outlines recommendations for MPs on how they can utilize their role to promote and strengthen these freedoms.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Sep 30, 2021 | CCHR, Tools for MPs
The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic recession have revealed the failure and fragility of
our economic system, which has prioritized business interests over people and the environment,
deepened inequalities, and failed to protect the most vulnerable.
To recover from the recession caused by the pandemic, countries are now adopting recovery measures
to boost their economy. The type of economic model these measures will support is crucial in shaping
our future, and this moment presents an ideal opportunity to break away from the past and shift
towards a more just, sustainable and resilient economy.
Shifting towards a greener economy is an essential part of “building back better” by moving away from
fossil fuel-dependent industries and instead towards clean and renewable sources of energy that help
reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming.
It will not only help the region to more rapidly absorb the immediate impact of the recession, but also to
avoid and be more resilient to future similar shocks and crises caused by climate change.
To help parliamentarians seize this opportunity APHR evaluated recovery measures taken in Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste between February 2020 and April 2021.
This assessment was undertaken to identify best practices MPs can adopt in their respective countries,
as well as structural obstacles they need to overcome to promote a transition to a green economy.
These toolkits are designed for MPs to help them advance a green economic recovery after COVID-19.
DOWNLOAD IN ENGLISH | BURMESE | BAHASA INDONESIAN | KHMER | LAO | MALAYSIAN | TETUM | THAI
| VIETNAMESE
You can read the full report here.
