Since 2016, we have collaborated with the ACT4CAT, a national advocacy coalition for ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, established by the National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM). The coalition consists of leading civil society organisations in the country, including Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM), the Bar Council and Lawyers for Liberty (LFL).
This collaboration includes developing a national strategic plan to advocate for ratification in 2016 and 2019 and constructive exchange between the government of Malaysia and international human rights experts, carried out since 2017. In 2019, SUHAKAM convened a regional seminar for ASEAN countries to share good practices in UNCAT ratification and implementation. It also launched a creative initiative called ‘Cartoonists against Torture’ as a way to raise public awareness on UNCAT in an accessible way.
