Suara Rakyat Malaysia

Description

SUARAM is registered as Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd under Malaysia’s Companies Act 1965. It is an independent human rights organisation in Malaysia, guided by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and believes in the universality, interdependence and indivisibility of all rights, covering civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres.

SUARAM specialises in civil and political rights. It runs educational programmes and training on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture, extra-judicial killings and cruel punishment, public accountability and genuine democracy-building. It also works alongside other civil society organisations and groups focused on economic, social and cultural rights in Malaysia, so together they can address human rights comprehensively.

The organisation describes itself as non-partisan and not linked to any other agency. It stands with victims of human rights violations, the poor and the oppressed, without fear or favour. Its mandate is grounded in the Malaysian Human Rights Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its central objective is the protection and realisation of human rights in Malaysia, regardless of which government is in power.

SUARAM is funded by donations and grants from public and private sources, accepted on a strict basis of non-interference by donors. Its most important sources of income are private donations, local fund-raising events, and sales of books and campaign merchandise.