SEMPORNA, Sept 8 — A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to solve statelessness in Sabah has been renewed for another five years.
The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), the National Commission on Human Rights of Indonesia (Komnas HAM) and the Philippines’ Commission of Human Rights (CHRP) signed the MOU to find a long-term solution to the statelessness issue in Sabah.
Suhakam in a statement said the MOU reflects the commitment of all parties to enhance cooperation through collaboration with all stakeholders to find a definite solution to the rights of stateless people at risk due to their position and status without citizenship in Sabah.
“As an extension to efforts taken in the past, all three commissions agreed to focus on raising awareness and misperception towards stateless people in Sabah.
“Their experience includes being denied basic rights to education, healthcare and a source of income, thus exposing them to risks of exploitation, forced labour, human trafficking and others,” said the commission in a statement today.
The MOU was first signed between Suhakam and Komnas HAM in April 2019, with CHRP acting as an observer. It was later renewed twice and extended until December 2022 with the official involvement of all three parties.
— Bernama
