Charles Hector

Charles Hector (full name Charles Hector Fernandez, born in Temerloh on 4 July 1961) is a Malaysian Human Rights advocate and activist.

His primary schooling was in Sekolah Rendah Jalan Bahagia, Temerloh. His lower secondary educadion was in Sekolah Menengah Rendah Jalan Bahagia (Form 1-3), and thereafter Sekolah Menengah Abu Bakar (Form 4-5). He then continued his upper secondary education in Sekolah Sultan Abu Bakar, Kuantan, Pahang during which he also held the position of President of the Sixth Form Society.

After that, he was admitted to University of Malaya, where he pursued a bachelor's degree in Science (Genetics). He was elected into the University of Malaya Students Union, and held the position of Welfare Secretary.He was also a founder member of the Social Service Club (Persatuan Perkhidmatan Masyarakat) - an initiative of unifying students irrespective of racial, religious and political differences.

After graduation he worked with the National Office for Human Development, then SUARAM and thereafter has been a lawyer. In 1993, he was instrumental in developing and getting "The Malaysian Human Rights Charter" which was by adopted by some 50 NGOS in 1993.

He was instrumental in developing the Malaysian Bar Legal Aid Dock-Brief programme. The Dock Brief programme was developed to ensure that all those brought to court to be charged, who do not yet have a lawyer, do receive free legal advice and legal representation. If the accused plead guilty, they will be assisted with regards to mitigation. And if they do claim trial, then they will be assisted with regard to bail applications.

Charles Hector, in his second attempt, was elected a member of the Bar Council 2005/2006. He was the Chairman of the committee for the elimination of discrimination 2005 - 2007.

Charles Hector is also one of the coordinators of the Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (MADPET) together with N. Surendran and Salbiah Ahmad. MADPET is also currently a member of ADPAN. Charles Hector was a member of ADPAN(Anti Death Penalty Asia Network)'s Transition Group when it became an independent and democratic Network, and he also served as a member of the first elected executive committee(2014-2016).

Charles Hector was also in the secretariat for the Campaign for the release of about 106 persons who were arrested under the Internal Security Act (Malaysia) in October 1987 known as Operation Lalang, and also the campaign for release of those arrested in Singapore under Operation Spectrum.

Charles Hector was involved in the development of [SUARAM], whereby he was also the 2nd coordinator after Julian Jeyaseelan.

He is also founder member of the Society for Christian Reflection (SCR) and Pusat KOMAS. He was also the treasurer of the National Human Rights Society(HAKAM)for four years. He is also a member of JUST and ALIRAN

Charles Hector was also involved in the production of the 1st Human Rights Education Pack (HRE Pack) for the Asia-Pacific region, which was published be the Asia-Pacific Regional Resource Center for Human Rights Education (ARRC) in 1995. Charles Hector was also a Council member of ARRC.

HRD sued by Japanese MNC

On 14/2/2011, Charles Hector was sued for RM10 million (USD3.2 million) by a Japanese MNC, Asahi Kosei, in Malaysia for highlighting alleged human rights violations affecting some 30 Burmese migrant workers who were workers at the said company's factories. Asahi Kosei says that it is not responsible for these workers and all that happened to them by reason that these workers were not their 'employees' - but were workers supplied by an 'outsourcing agent'(a labour/manpower supplier). The threat and the suit against this Human Rights Defender resulted in great protest from all quarters, both nationally and internationally. This issue was also raised in the UK Parliament, and the trial was closely monitored by the European Unions and many other countries. On 25/8/2011, the case was settled. Charles Hector was also nominated for the inaugural SUHAKAM's Human Rights Award in 2011.

On 31 March 2016 Charles Hector, together with Francis Pereira and R. Shanmugam was called up by Polis DiRaja Malaysia (“PDRM”) to be present at the Bukit Aman police station for investigation under the Sedition Act, in connection with the “Motion on the Attorney General, Public Prosecutor and Improvement of Public Perspective of Administration of Justice in Malaysia”, that was tabled at the 70th Annual General Meeting of the Malaysian Bar held on 19 March 2016, and which was adopted by an overwhelming majority. The police also called on the Bar's Secretary, Ms Karen Cheah to be present

“We are still committed to upholding the course of justice, no amount of harassment or intimidation will stop us because ultimately, our position is that as lawyer and a member of the Bar, we have a right and also a duty, and an obligation, to uphold the cause of justice and bring about reforms to the cause of justice...It’s not just the obligation of lawyers but of each Malaysian to improve things,”[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Malay Mail, 31/3/2016".

Sources

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