20 January 2023
KUALA LUMPUR (18 JANUARY 2023) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) recommends that the human and children’s rights courses are made compulsory for coaches or sport teachers as part of the conditions to obtain coaching license. As a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (CRC), it is the responsibility of the state to guarantee that children’s right to freely engage in play and recreational activities is recognized and respected.
This is following video of a coach, for the Melaka under-14 girls’ volleyball team, slapped two of his players that went viral recently. SUHAKAM supports the actions taken by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education Malaysia as well as the revocation of the Level 1 Volleyball Coaching Certificate (Sport Specific) of the coach by the Malaysian Volleyball Association (MAVA).
SUHAKAM is of the view that the punishment is a firm signal to all sports coaches and teachers that both ministries will not compromise the safety and well-being of athletes, especially child athletes. This decision is also seen as a guarantee that children and teenagers will not be abused and degraded by any party when participating in sports, arts or cultural activities. If such incidents are not dealt with appropriately, it is feared that these children’s emotions will be disrupted, and they may feel afraid to play and participate in sports activities.
SUHAKAM also urges that all parents/guardians to report any occurrence of violence or incidents of degrading students by coaches or sports teachers to the police or Welfare Department at Talian Kasih 15999 or Whatsapp 019-2615999, and also to the Ministries as a collective effort to address issues more proactively.
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Prof. Dato’ Dr. Rahmat Mohamad
Chairman
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
Source: https://suhakam.org.my/2023/01/press-statement-no-1-2023_suhakam-recommends-the-human-and-childrens-rights-courses-are-made-compulsory-for-coaches-or-sport-teachers-kenyataan-media-no-1-2023_suhakam-syor-jurulatih-atau-guru-s/
