Chair’s Message
September 2019
Dear Human Rights Champion,
Last August, I had the incredible opportunity, of which I thank you for entrusting me, to attend the Global Assembly in South Africa (attached the Global Assembly Meeting 2019 Decisions Report). I had the unbelievable opportunity to meet Judge Navi Pillay who currently presides the International Commission against the Death Penalty. Her message to AIM I attach here:
What an intriguing time it is to witness history being made, starting from having our very own take a seat at the International Board for the first time and thus increasing representation of the Global South, having our section take positive steps towards environmentally friendly measures at our AGM, which also for the first time was held in Ipoh acknowledging our Ipoh Local Group’s support, having two speakers engage members on activism and human rights, having our first official Youth Representative on the Board which was made possible through our inaugural Youth Assembly and our members who voted to amend the Constitution to allow it, honouring Mr Joseph Paul with the Pioneer Award for his contributions in setting up Amnesty International Malaysia in the early 90s, and we had also taken to the streets for the first global climate strike led by our youths! We are off to a great start!
You can watch Judge Navi Pillay’s message in a video here: https://www.facebook.com/AmnestyMy/videos/512629716197520/
Thank You to Anjhula for her contributions as Chair for the 2017-2019 term and we wish her the best in carrying out her new role at the International Board; Dobby for taking on the role as Chair after Anjhula’s appointment and for continuing to serve as Vice-Chair; Asyraf for heading the work on youth and making strides in this sphere, Cara for her unrelenting support and creative input to the work we do, Shamini who has led the Secretariat with resilience; Eira, Nisshan, Lily, Li Yang and Brian Yap for their dedication to the important work we do; Vikram, Alta and Jaga for their role as Election Committee at the last AGM; all the volunteers that made the Youth Assembly and the AGM 2019 a success; and to you the members who constantly engage in conversations about how we could do better and be better.
As part of my video message during the AGM, I expressed that I’d like to see member engagement on law and policy. Kindly write me at [email protected] with your expression of interest to join this network that I am creating with the Secretariat to bounce ideas and feedback. All backgrounds are welcome as it is essential that we have multi-faceted viewpoints and continue to educate ourselves to enrich discussions.
I bow my head in gratitude for the overwhelming support and warm reception since stepping up as the youngest AIM Chair and continue to look forward to hearing from and engaging with you.
In solidarity,
Kalainilaa Kalaiyarasu
Chair of the Board of Governance
Amnesty International Malaysia