Advocacy group: Stop viewing children as security threat, Immigration Dept should set up child-friendly unit

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — A child rights group has welcomed a High Court ruling saying Malaysian laws also protected non-citizen children, and urged the government to stop viewing minors as security threats but to instead recognise their vulnerability.

Sharmila said she hoped the government now “appreciates and understands that all children in Malaysia need protection”. “As such, it is right that Section 84 of the Child Act should have been applied in this case. It is imperative that policies and procedures are put in place immediately to ensure that the safety, protection and rights of children are no longer violated,” Sharmila said.

Sharmila said the Immigration Department could emulate the police in setting up a dedicated division to handle cases relating to women and children. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaSharmila also advocated for the Malaysian government to adopt child-friendly approaches when dealing with minors, especially in areas of arrest and detention.

“The child needs to be brought before the Court for Children within 24 hours of arrest/detention and at all times, the best interest of the child must be of primary consideration,” she said. The Malaysian government had initially appealed the High Court’s decision directly to the Federal Court , but have since withdrawn its appeal.Sharmila, fellow lawyers Goh Siu Lin, Louise Azmi and Denise Lim were acting as amicus curiae or friends of the court at the appeal stage for VoC, Buku Jalanan Chow Kit, Yayasan Chow Kit and the Association of Women Lawyers .that the High Court’s decision was “groundbreaking” as it upheld the rights of arrested or detained children.

Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)

Can Msian Immigration Officers behave with a modicum of decency? Detaining children for 28 days is grossly cruel and inhumane.

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