729:. Individuals can only apply for citizenship if one parent is a citizen of Malaysia. Migrants must produce each parent's passport and a certificate of marriage, documents which many do not possess, if they wish to obtain a birth certificate in Malaysia. In addition, those who work in rural areas are sometimes not able to travel to the national registration authority to apply for the birth certificate. The fear of arrest and detention, and the restrictions on the ability of some migrant workers to marry, has meant that many refugees, asylum-seeking and irregular migrants do not apply for birth certificates for their children.
28:
762:. Non-Muslims may only marry from the age of 18, but girls can be married as early as 16 provided they or their parents have the permission of the State Chief Minister. The minimum age of marriage is 16 for Muslim girls and 18 for Muslim boys. Crucially, exceptions can be made for girls or boys to marry at a much younger age as long as they obtain Islamic courtsâ consent.
746:
children from low-income families. Education is also not sufficient for children with disabilities; children (of
Malaysians) without birth certificates are denied the opportunity to attend schools; and asylum seeking children, refugee children, stateless children as well as children of migrant workers are not given free primary education in government-run schools.
621:
The Child Act 2001 (Act 611) is the country's legislation for the protection, care and rehabilitation of children. This Act incorporates the core principles of non-discrimination, best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development as well as respect for the views of the child.
628:
In 2001, the Act established the
National Council for the Protection of Children, which advises the Government on child protection issues while the National Advisory and Consultative Council for Children acts as a national focal point for children's wellbeing and development. Act 611 also requires
732:
Children without a birth certificate can be denied access to healthcare and other basic social services which expose them to exploitation and poor health. They are unable to enroll in
Government schools or to participate in examinations. For Malaysian children, a lack of a birth certificate can
754:
Malaysia's
Population and Housing Census in 2010 showed that 82,282 married women in Malaysia were girls between the ages of 15 and 19, while another 1,000 in this age group were widowed and 842 separated or divorced. The Deputy Minister for Women revealed that, for that same year, nearly 16,000
692:
Despite lifting the reservation to
Article 1, inconsistencies in the definition of the child under national laws remain, with multiple, contradictory definitions of the child under both civil and Sharia law. There has yet to be a shift from needs-based to rights-based policies and programs for
644:
Other child-related legislation in
Malaysia include the Adoption Act 1952, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007, Child Care Centres Act 1984, Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966; Domestic Violence Act 1994, Education Act 1996 and the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territory) Act 1984
455:
to five
Articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Articles 2, 7, 14, 28(a)(1) and 37) suggest that it takes the view that children can be discriminated against, have no right to a name or nationality, have no freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and should not be free from
745:
Although the
Education Amendment Act 2002 has made primary education compulsory for all children from aged 6, this requirement is not enforced. There are an estimated 200,000 children of primary-school age in Malaysia who are not attending school. Cost of schooling is one of the obstacles for
475:
on 20 November 1989, the CRC is based on four core principles, namely the principle of non discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and considering the views of the child in decisions which affect them (according to their age and maturity).
653:
The principles of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child have helped influence Malaysia's efforts to reduce the number of children dying before the age of five, accelerate girlsâ education, and increase access to education for children living in remote parts of the country.
548:, the body of experts charged with monitoring a country's implementation of these human rights treaties. These government reports must outline the situation of children in the country and explain the measures taken to realise and protect their rights.
485:
701:
Although birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, it is estimated that there are 50,000 undocumented children in
Malaysia. They include children from the rural poor and indigenous communities in remote locations, particularly in
559:
In 2007, the Committee on the Rights of the Child submitted its Concluding Observations to the Government of Malaysia following the country's submission of its first CRC report. The Concluding Observations included the following recommendations:
601:
sets out the basic human rights standards, which also extend to children. These include liberty of the person (Article 5); prohibition of slavery and forced labour (Article 6); and rights in respect of education (Article 12).
146:
535:
In 2010, the Government of Malaysia withdrew three earlier reservations to the CRC, namely Article 1 (definition of the child), Article 13 (freedom of expression) and Article 15 (freedom of assembly and participation).
489:
832:
890:
681:
677:
594:
Malaysia has a legislative, administrative and policy framework to cater for the protection and needs of children and the promotion of their physical, mental, intellectual and emotional development.
1220:
551:
The First Report from the Government of Malaysia to the Committee on the Rights of the Child was submitted in 2006, which was nine years overdue. The second report was due by 19 March 2012.
629:
the setting up of Child Protection Teams and Child Activity Centres at both state and district levels for children at risk or children vulnerable to all forms of abuse and exploitation.
585:
Review the Children and Young Persons (Employment) Act 1966 to ensure that acceptable conditions of work are clearly and strictly defined to comply with international labour standards.
220:
444:
Government and civil society initiatives to realise and uphold the rights of children has resulted in progress in the field of education and primary healthcare for children.
1249:
1387:
915:
693:
children in Malaysia. Approaches towards children are generally paternalistic and their views are generally not sought or given due weight in decisions that affect them.
471:(CRC), an international human rights treaty which upholds the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of all minors below 18 years. Adopted by the
840:
1042:
579:
Collect adequate statistical data on children with disabilities and ensure the use of such data in the development of policies and programmes for these children;
1008:
894:
1287:
573:
Improve the birth registration system of non-Malaysian children born in Malaysia, children of single mothers and children born in remote areas of the country.
636:, Act 611 provides for a procedure before the Court for Children, which is child-friendly taking into account the mental and emotional maturity of a child.
669:
has been criminalised by the Penal Code (Act 574), while the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (Act 521) protects the child against violence within the family.
576:
Ensure that all children have equal access to quality education at all levels and that their access to education is not impeded by economic shortcomings;
492:
in 2012. Malaysia has not acceded to the CRCâs third Optional Protocol, adopted by the United Nations in 2011, relating to communication of complaints.
944:
1453:
1228:
1320:
973:
1380:
1112:
610:
468:
434:
1080:
545:
80:
1352:
1182:
797:
769:
in Malaysia are pregnancies before marriage and parentsâ decision to avoid their children's involvement in deteriorating moral problems.
391:
176:
672:
The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act came into force on 28 February 2008 and provides, among others, the legal mechanism to criminalise
567:
Review Malaysia's dual legal system (Civil and Syariah) as some domestic laws are obstacles to the realisation of the CRC in Malaysia
1443:
1373:
235:
85:
1260:
861:
524:
The Government expressed these reservations on the grounds that the CRC Articles were said to "not conform with the Constitution,
417:
923:
1412:
472:
52:
42:
1458:
625:
Act 611 repealed the Juvenile Courts Act 1947 , the Women and Girls Protection Act 1973 and the Child Protection Act 1991 .
504:â, which allow the Government to disagree with a provision in the CRC. Malaysia has five reservations currently, namely to:
1164:
570:
Establish a systematic assessment of the impact of budgetary allocations on the implementation of the rights of the child
758:
Malaysia has a dual legal system, which means that the minimum age of marriage can be determined by either civil law or
447:
However, key challenges remain, particularly for marginalized and disadvantaged groups of children in the country. The
57:
1053:
47:
203:
198:
1015:
665:(Act 611) has introduced several initiatives to safeguard children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
131:
75:
1295:
366:
676:
and providing care, protection and shelter for the victims. At the international level, Malaysia has signed the
1396:
778:
598:
1448:
1417:
952:
448:
286:
371:
311:
171:
166:
101:
1328:
984:
500:
The Government of Malaysiaâs ratification of the CRC contains a number of conditions in the form of â
430:
410:
346:
230:
141:
126:
121:
111:
711:
361:
341:
281:
215:
116:
1120:
1088:
680:(UNTOC) in 2002 and ratified it in 2004. Malaysia is currently in the process of acceding to the
381:
376:
306:
181:
250:
208:
1422:
1193:
808:
673:
655:
501:
452:
386:
351:
336:
255:
240:
188:
161:
633:
331:
525:
403:
356:
326:
296:
291:
193:
1146:
766:
662:
606:
544:
National governments that ratify the CRC and its Optional Protocols must report to the
465:
438:
321:
301:
245:
974:"Convention on the Rights of the Child - Initial report of States parties due in 1997"
869:
1437:
316:
106:
486:
Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
265:
260:
225:
156:
151:
136:
66:
658:
was made compulsory in 2002 to ensure increased school enrolment and completion.
722:
759:
27:
891:"UNICEF welcomes Malaysia's plans to ratify child rights optional protocols"
1365:
1043:"Convention on the Rights of the Child - Concluding observations: MALAYSIA"
1147:"MALAYSIA: Children's Rights References in the Universal Periodic Review"
1014:. NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Archived from
726:
715:
707:
529:
1221:"Malaysia: Undocumented Children in Sabah Vulnerable to Statelessness"
666:
19:
528:
and national policies of the Government of Malaysia, including the
1165:"Research: 50,000 undocumented and stateless children in Malaysia"
734:
703:
517:
Article 28(1)(a) on free and compulsory education at primary level
490:
Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
833:"Time to remove all reservations and sign the Optional Protocols"
1369:
682:
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons
678:
United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime
1009:"State Party Examination of Malaysia's First Periodic Report"
433:
in Malaysia have progressed since Malaysia acceded to the
1215:
1213:
514:
Article 14 on freedom of thought, conscience and religion
725:
by birth, choosing not to adhere to the principle of
564:
Review and abolish Malaysia's reservations to the CRC
684:
especially Women and Children, supplementing UNTOC.
1353:"Child marriage in Malaysia, a child rights issue"
805:Child Rights Coalition Malaysia Annual Report 2012
807:. Child Rights Coalition Malaysia. Archived from
464:In 1995, the Government of Malaysia ratified the
1183:"STATUS REPORT ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN MALAYSIA"
798:"Status Report of Children's Rights in Malaysia"
520:Article 37 on torture and deprivation of liberty
755:girls below the age of 15 were in a marriage.
1381:
411:
8:
733:also affect their chances of applying for a
484:The Government of Malaysia ratified the CRC
1107:
1105:
1388:
1374:
1366:
1250:"Report for the Universal Periodic Review"
418:
404:
15:
1037:
1035:
1347:
1345:
1315:
1313:
1282:
1280:
1141:
1139:
1137:
839:. Malaysian Bar Council. Archived from
789:
582:Abolish capital punishment for children
273:
93:
65:
34:
18:
1075:
1073:
611:Convention on the Rights of the Child
555:CRC Committee Concluding Observations
469:Convention on the Rights of the Child
460:Convention on the Rights of the Child
435:Convention on the Rights of the Child
7:
546:Committee on the Rights of the Child
456:torture and deprivation of liberty.
609:to fulfil its obligation under the
1151:Child Rights International Network
916:"United Nations Treaty Collection"
14:
893:. UNICEF Malaysia. Archived from
868:. UNCIEF Malaysia. Archived from
737:when they reach 12 years of age.
511:Article 7 on name and nationality
437:(CRC) in 1995 and introduced the
922:. United Nations. Archived from
26:
1294:. 24 April 2013. Archived from
1257:Child Rights Coalition Malaysia
1190:Child Rights Coalition Malaysia
508:Article 2 on non-discrimination
473:United Nations General Assembly
53:Natural rights and legal rights
43:Claim rights and liberty rights
1192:. UNICEF EAPRO. Archived from
632:In terms of administration of
1:
837:Malaysian Bar Council Website
81:Economic, social and cultural
1454:Children's rights by country
377:Self-determination of people
58:Negative and positive rights
48:Individual and group rights
1475:
1403:
1444:Human rights in Malaysia
1397:Human rights in Malaysia
779:Human rights in Malaysia
721:Malaysia does not grant
656:Primary school education
35:Theoretical distinctions
710:as well as children of
1225:Refugees International
741:Out-of-School Children
480:CRC Optional Protocols
449:Government of Malaysia
274:Other groups of rights
1459:Childhood in Malaysia
862:"A children's treaty"
765:Factors that lead to
697:Undocumented Children
605:Malaysia enacted the
94:Rights by beneficiary
760:Syaria (Islamic) law
599:Federal Constitution
392:Water and sanitation
1413:Freedom of religion
1292:Free Malaysia Today
1288:"Children and GE13"
76:Civil and political
945:"CRC reservations"
712:irregular migrants
1431:
1430:
1408:Children's rights
688:Issues of Concern
674:human trafficking
439:Child Act in 2001
431:Children's rights
428:
427:
86:Three generations
1466:
1390:
1383:
1376:
1367:
1361:
1360:
1349:
1340:
1339:
1337:
1336:
1327:. Archived from
1317:
1308:
1307:
1305:
1303:
1284:
1275:
1274:
1272:
1271:
1265:
1259:. Archived from
1254:
1246:
1240:
1239:
1237:
1236:
1227:. Archived from
1217:
1208:
1207:
1205:
1204:
1198:
1187:
1179:
1173:
1172:
1161:
1155:
1154:
1143:
1132:
1131:
1129:
1128:
1119:. Archived from
1113:"Child Act 2001"
1109:
1100:
1099:
1097:
1096:
1087:. Archived from
1081:"Malaysian laws"
1077:
1068:
1067:
1065:
1064:
1058:
1052:. Archived from
1047:
1039:
1030:
1029:
1027:
1026:
1020:
1013:
1005:
999:
998:
996:
995:
989:
983:. Archived from
978:
970:
964:
963:
961:
960:
951:. Archived from
941:
935:
934:
932:
931:
912:
906:
905:
903:
902:
887:
881:
880:
878:
877:
858:
852:
851:
849:
848:
829:
823:
822:
820:
819:
813:
802:
794:
634:juvenile justice
496:CRC Reservations
420:
413:
406:
367:Rest and leisure
30:
16:
1474:
1473:
1469:
1468:
1467:
1465:
1464:
1463:
1434:
1433:
1432:
1427:
1399:
1394:
1364:
1357:Girls not Bride
1351:
1350:
1343:
1334:
1332:
1319:
1318:
1311:
1301:
1299:
1286:
1285:
1278:
1269:
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1252:
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1234:
1232:
1219:
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1211:
1202:
1200:
1196:
1185:
1181:
1180:
1176:
1163:
1162:
1158:
1145:
1144:
1135:
1126:
1124:
1117:UNICEF Malaysia
1111:
1110:
1103:
1094:
1092:
1085:UNICEF Malaysia
1079:
1078:
1071:
1062:
1060:
1056:
1045:
1041:
1040:
1033:
1024:
1022:
1018:
1011:
1007:
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1002:
993:
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987:
976:
972:
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956:
949:UNICEF Malaysia
943:
942:
938:
929:
927:
914:
913:
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898:
889:
888:
884:
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866:UNICEF Malaysia
860:
859:
855:
846:
844:
831:
830:
826:
817:
815:
811:
800:
796:
795:
791:
787:
775:
752:
743:
699:
690:
651:
642:
619:
592:
590:Legal Framework
557:
542:
498:
482:
462:
424:
297:Civil liberties
12:
11:
5:
1472:
1470:
1462:
1461:
1456:
1451:
1449:Child marriage
1446:
1436:
1435:
1429:
1428:
1426:
1425:
1423:Women's rights
1420:
1415:
1410:
1404:
1401:
1400:
1395:
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1392:
1385:
1378:
1370:
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1362:
1341:
1325:Penang Monthly
1309:
1298:on 11 May 2013
1276:
1241:
1209:
1174:
1156:
1133:
1101:
1069:
1050:United Nations
1031:
1000:
981:United Nations
965:
936:
907:
882:
853:
824:
788:
786:
783:
782:
781:
774:
771:
767:early marriage
751:
750:Child Marriage
748:
742:
739:
698:
695:
689:
686:
663:Child Act 2001
650:
647:
641:
638:
618:
617:Child Act 2001
615:
607:Child Act 2001
591:
588:
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586:
583:
580:
577:
574:
571:
568:
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556:
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512:
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497:
494:
481:
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466:United Nations
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389:
384:
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329:
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322:Free migration
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63:
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55:
50:
45:
37:
36:
32:
31:
23:
22:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1471:
1460:
1457:
1455:
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1447:
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1406:
1405:
1402:
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1386:
1384:
1379:
1377:
1372:
1371:
1368:
1358:
1354:
1348:
1346:
1342:
1331:on 2015-05-03
1330:
1326:
1322:
1316:
1314:
1310:
1297:
1293:
1289:
1283:
1281:
1277:
1266:on 2014-04-22
1262:
1258:
1251:
1245:
1242:
1231:on 2013-10-25
1230:
1226:
1222:
1216:
1214:
1210:
1199:on 2016-03-04
1195:
1191:
1184:
1178:
1175:
1170:
1166:
1160:
1157:
1152:
1148:
1142:
1140:
1138:
1134:
1123:on 2018-07-10
1122:
1118:
1114:
1108:
1106:
1102:
1091:on 2016-09-13
1090:
1086:
1082:
1076:
1074:
1070:
1059:on 2016-03-04
1055:
1051:
1044:
1038:
1036:
1032:
1021:on 2016-03-04
1017:
1010:
1004:
1001:
990:on 2016-03-04
986:
982:
975:
969:
966:
955:on 2016-10-30
954:
950:
946:
940:
937:
926:on 2013-12-03
925:
921:
917:
911:
908:
897:on 2016-11-06
896:
892:
886:
883:
872:on 2018-07-10
871:
867:
863:
857:
854:
843:on 2010-12-29
842:
838:
834:
828:
825:
814:on 2016-03-04
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549:
547:
540:CRC Reporting
539:
537:
533:
531:
527:
526:national laws
519:
516:
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506:
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38:
33:
29:
25:
24:
21:
17:
1407:
1356:
1333:. Retrieved
1329:the original
1324:
1321:"Statistics"
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