SUHAKAM CONDEMNS EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Human Rights
Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has condemned the use of children in public
assemblies, describing it as an exploitation and improper method to make a
success of the organiser's motives.

Its commissioner, James Nayagam, said the freedom of assembly was guaranteed
in the country but recent cases of taking children to demonstrations were
"certainly an exploitation under the Child Act 2001".

In future, Suhakam was planning to meet groups planning to hold such
assemblies and would advise them to conform with existing guidelines and rules,
he said after attending a forum, 'Abandonment of Babies', organised by Suhakam
here Wednesday.

He was asked to comment on the presence of children during a gathering at
the National Mosque here on Dec 5, on the Selangor state water issue.

Nayagam said the commission regretted the participation of children in
public assemblies.
-- BERNAMA