We Say

Greetings from CHRI!

The Commonwealth has some of the best examples of policing in the world; it has also has some of the worst. This, the sixth edition of the Commonwealth PoliceWatch, bears out this statement clearly; from the stories of police misconduct in Malaysia, to the police crackdown on the free presses of Kenya, to a comparison of a number of the best practices to be found in Police Complaints Agencies from across the globe, from countries as diverse as South Africa, Sri Lanka, Australia and Mauritius. The Commonwealth's shared legacy of colonial policing means that many of the issues faced by today's members have a similar face, no matter how different the context in which the police work or the government serves. We can all learn from one another - from the problems we have faced, to the best ways that we have overcome those problems.

While in London recently, I met with Donald McKinnon, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and Richard Bourne, the Director of the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit. During our discussion, the Secretary General indicated that he may consider putting together a Commonwealth Expert Group on Policing. In my mind, the Expert Group would bring together a group of pre-eminent policing experts from all over the globe, from Africa, the Pacific and South Asia, from all kinds of backgrounds - police who have walked beats, human rights activists, university academics and government policy makers. The group would look at policing in the Commonwealth, and come up with research and a set of recommendations to the Secretariat that countries can look towards for guidance as they struggle to provide their citizens with better policing.

A detailed look at the Expert Group is included in this edition - just click on the Public Eye icon. The Expert Group would be a fantastic opportunity for all of us to learn more about policing in the Commonwealth, and for discussions on policing to be ignited all around the world. I urge you to express your support for the creation of an Expert Group to the Commonwealth Secretary General - a sample letter of support is available on the CHRI website, or by clicking here.

As I write, Fathimath Shiuna is suffering at the hands of police in the Maldives, India is up in arms over the Jessica Lal case and the fall out from the police newspaper bonfires in Kenya continues. At the same time, the Inspector General of the Malaysian Police - which has come under intense fire in recent history for its abusive practices - is addressing officers at a human rights training workshop, and telling them, "…if you still do not understand [about human rights], then you might as well look for another job." The governments of the Commonwealth stand to gain much insight about their police from an Expert Group - join with me and call on the Secretary General to put together such a group.

Maja Daruwala
Director, CHRI

Feature Squats, lies and videotape: Police misconduct and reform in Malaysia Over the course of the past few months, years of police misconduct, public protest and political inaction have imploded in Malaysia, following the circulation of a furtively taped video phone message, showing a nude woman being forced to squat while in police custody. The video, following on the heels of claims of similar abuse by a group of Chinese women late in 2004, has galvanised the Malaysian people, led to a Commission of Inquiry into the matter, and forced the government to act on the recommendations of an overlooked 2004 Royal Commission into the problems of the Royal Malaysia Police. In January this year, the Malaysian Prime Minister announced that his government would establish an independent complaints authority as part of wide ranging reforms of the police in response to the scandal. ...more

Sri Lanka Police Vishishta Seva Padakkama An award for Meritorious Performance of Police duties. Janadhipathi Police WeerathaPadakkama Presidential award for brave performance of duty, Sri Lanka Police.

BLIND-MAN'S BUFF (As played by the police). "TURN ROUND THREE TIMES, AND CATCH WHOM YOU MAY!"

Women in Focus International Women's Day - Police and space for women Every year, International Women's Day is marked to celebrate the economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women. It takes place on the 8th of March - to commemorate a police attack on a group of women protesting working conditions in the 1850s. It is a day for promoting women's rights and participation in political and economic processes; it is also an appropriate moment to reflect on the role that the police play in giving women the space to express their voice, their opinion and their dissent. In 1857 in the United States of America, the police suppressed women's voices. Among the countries of the 21st century Commonwealth, there are many police services that allow women the space for expression. There are also a concerning number of police still living with values more suited to the days of 1857, prohibiting the exercise of basic rights by women. ...more