PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has reminded the media to be careful when reporting criminal cases involving children to protect their identities from being exposed.
Suhakam children’s commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said Malaysia has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and must adhere to the convention.
“Whether they are a victim, witness or subjected to proceedings, they are also protected under the Child Act 2001.
In cases involving minors, no matter their position, their interests have to be our main consideration, she said at a media briefing at the Suhakam office in Kuala Lumpur today.
Farah said pictures of handcuffed children are humiliating and could stigmatise them.
“On top of that, although their names may not be mentioned, some media do mention the names of their villages or districts, which can give way to their identities being exposed to folks around them.
They will talk about the child for years and this creates a stigma, she said.
Farah said exceptions are sometimes allowed, such as the personal details of a missing child being disseminated due to the urgency of the matter.
Her statement follows a reminder from law minister Azalina Othman Said about publishing pictures of children involved in criminal proceedings.
Azalina was referring to a case involving a 12-year-old child charged with driving a car without a licence last month.
Farah also expressed her concern with some articles on the murder of Zayn Rayyan Zaim Ikhwan, which she said were sensationalised, and expressed frustration with crucial information about him being leaked on social media.
Although he has died, it’s still a matter of his dignity, she said.
