Promoting human rights through language in schools

Abstract

I would like to begin by congratulating the organizers of this seminar for their initiative. Education of the general body of citizens on human rights issues is a prime function of every Human Rights Commission in the Commonwealth as well as in all countries that enjoy democratic governance. Section 4(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 stipulates that in furtherance of the protection and promotion of human rights in Malaysia one function of the Commission shall be - (a) to promote awareness of and provide education in relation to human rights. The Commission is also empowered by sub-section (2) To promote awareness of human rights by conducting programmes. seminars and workshops and to disseminate and distribute the results of such research. The 'human rights' refers to fundamental liberties as enshrined in Part Two of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. Different terms are used to describe human rights.