Hmm…James Nayagam…just when civil society thought that you were not just another ridiculous Suhakam commissioner with no background and standing in human rights. Have you have read the CRC and international human rights law? Were you misquoted by Bernama?

Article 13

1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.

2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:

(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or

(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

Article 14

1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.

3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

Article 15

1. States Parties recognize the rights of the child to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly.

2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

———————-
Children in demos: Police or parents irresponsible?
Malaysiakini, Dec 15, 10 5:54pm

The Human Rights Commission (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.

According to Bernama, its commissioner James Nayagam (right, in picture) said 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 in Petaling Jaya today.

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

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

Opposition figures, on their part, condemned the police for their “violence” and “injustice”, including against children on Dec 5.

Several children who looked no older than 10 years old were among those on the receiving end of the police’s chemical-laced water cannons and tear gas.

Some were seen vomiting and crying at the police action.