AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIA
Optional BOARD OF GOVERNANCE MEETING 2018
DATE : 17TH OCTOBER 2018
TIME : 7-9PM
MODE : TELE-CONFERENCE
ATTENDEES:
1. A
2. D
3. K
4. C
5. N
6. A
MISSION:
To undertake study and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression and freedom from discrimination within the context of its work promote all human rights.
MINUTES :
A) UPDATES
1. Phillipines AGM
A met up with A earlier today to prepare for the Philippines AGM. A will be reporting back to the Board in November 2018.
2. Welcoming ED
ED, A, & D met earlier today to welcome the ED who has returned from sabbatical and will be resuming duties as Executive Director on 1st Nov 2018.
B) DECISIONS
3. Slack v Whatsapp
After weighing the pros and cons of both apps, it was unanimously decided to use only Slack as mode of communication between the Board members for both formal and informal conversations and decision-making.
Slack serves the purpose of providing an archive of all conversations and decisions, and can serve as reference for future members of the Board.
4. Sit, Sign & Share
Board has agreed unanimously to adopt the said approach suggested by Anjhula (suggestion first raised in Whatsapp on 11.10.18) to strengthen the membership that is :
Sit: Protests, vigils, demonstrations and peaceful sit-ins
Sign: Signing documents, petitions, social media posts, getting them to go viral
Share: Learning and being educated on what human rights are, how to share and speak about it (through workshops & training) with the person on the LRT to the MP that represents you.
C) ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN
5. Empowering members
Each Board member to suggest one skill we can empower our members with to take the movement forward.
Deadline: One week – 24.10.2018
6. Any issues, matters to vote on, recommendations, etc to be forwarded to K.
Deadline: Before next face-to-face meeting with ED in November 2018.
D) WORK-IN-PROGRESS
7. Board workplan
N is working on the framework. Will share M & E on Slack for all to peruse.
To include board participation in M & E.
8. MOU
A will work on amendments and send to all for perusal.
E) RECOMMENDATIONS
9. Board Participation
Besides the Secretariat keeping track of the Board’s participation in AI activities, the Board can also report at every meeting of their personal involvement.
10. Abolishing the death penalty & moving forward
• Prisons overcrowding, not properly divided with type of crimes ie. hardcore criminals w minor demeanours, insufficient funds.
• Shift sentencing policies to a rehabilitative-focused approach.
• Only 2.5% are death row inmates – not much cost reduction. Should move away from punitive measures and look at penal reform. More solution-focused approach.
• New causes. Research survey was done to test pulse on youth and they want more attention on trafficking issues.
• The campaign against torture is already a big cause taken up by the Secretariat.
• Indigenous ppl – geographical limitation.
• Social Economy Climate Gender to be a guiding tool. Freedom of expression & stopping torture are serious topics, analyse future direction
• Indigenous rights- lot of things happening in kuantan for example– they are organised but they need the attention which AI can provide.
• Be careful about pivoting – should follow through with post-death penalty abolishment –– don’t shelve the residual issues. Ask members – there is a need to be and feel accessible.
• Even though advocacy in Malaysia against the death penalty may see a reduction in significance locally, we should be following up with other Sections in the ASEAN region.
• Climate change – the flooding issue – it is a close topic to many hearts and would seem a more relatable cause.
• Flooding issue stems partly from deforestation which affects rights of the indigenous – create a movement.
• How would the board envision getting feedback from members in KL and at all local groups?
• Issue of statelessness and refugees.
DECISION via Slack on 18.10.2018
11. ED contract
Board unanimously agreed to add a clause regarding specific work conditions.
Dated this 19.10.2018.
Prepared by,
Kalai Nilaa
Secretary
Amnesty International Malaysia Board of Governance
Verified by,
Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais
Chair
Amnesty International Malaysia Board of Governance