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Topic 3 - Fundamental Liberties (Art 5,6,7) (Part 1)
Topic 3 - Fundamental Liberties (Art 5,6,7) (Part 1)
Topic 3 - Fundamental Liberties (Art 5,6,7) (Part 1)
INDIVIDUAL
(ART 5, 6 & 7)
UCL1622
Introduction
- The general assumption is that every constitution must
grant a certain amount of rights and liberties to its citizens.
- The extent of these rights could vary from country to
country. Governmental policies, religions and other factors
influence the existence and the degree of freedom granted.
- It must be noted that no country grants absolute freedom
to its citizens.
- For academic purposes, the term ‘liberty’ is given a very
narrow interpretation. It means the state of being free from
any form of captivity, slavery, imprisonment and despotic
control.
- A ‘right’ on the other hand is considered as a privilege
granted under a particular law.
Position in the UK
■ Issue of civil liberty has been greatly debated not only in Malaysia, but
also in the UK.
■ Because UK has no codified constitution, rights and liberties are not
expressly protected by any form of higher laws.
■ The UK government nevertheless signed the European Convention of
Human Rights (ECHR) in 1951 and as such, the UK citizens were
given the right to appeal to the European Courts of Human Rights in
Strasbourg.
■ UK’s records with the European Courts of Human Rights was rather
not satisfactory and the citizens demanded more protection of their
liberties.
■ The UK government finally incorporated the European Convention of
Human rights into UK law by virtue of the Human Rights Act 1998.
■ Note that the HRA 1998 is just an ordinary Act of Parliament.
– As such, does it give sufficient protection?
Substantive rights under the ECHR
■ Article 1: the right to protection of all convention rights within domestic legal systems.
■ Article 2: the right to life
■ Article 3: the right to freedom from torture or inhuman or degrading treatment
■ Article 4: freedom from slavery
■ Article 5: freedom of the person
■ Article 6: the right to a fair trial
■ Article 7: freedom from retrospective criminal liability
■ Article 8: the right to respect for private and family life
■ Article 9: the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
■ Article 10: freedom of expression
■ Article 11: Freedom of peaceful assembly and association
■ Article 12: the right to marry and found a family
■ Article 13: the right to an effective remedy for the breach of convention rights
■ Article 14: the right to enjoy rights and freedom under the convention without
discrimination
Substantive rights under the ECHR
■ Articles 3,4,7 and 9 provides absolute rights.
■ The other Articles contain qualifying criteria.
■ Limitations take two forms:
1) Legitimate aims of the state which may restrict the protection of rights:
i. the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well
being of the country.
ii. the prevention of disorder or crime.
iii. the protection of health or morals, the protection of the rights or
freedoms of others.
iv. the prevention of disclosure of information received in confidence.
v. maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
https://www.studocu.com/my/document/universiti-malaya/family-law/article-5-of-fc-none/8782850
ARTICLE 5(3)
RIGHT TO BE INFORMED THE GROUND OF ARREST &
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
First Limb – (a) Right to know ground of arrest:
■ Common Law (Christie v Leachinsky) – affirmed by the Federal Court
in Abdul Rahman v Tan Jo Koh (the appellant claimed damages from
the police due to the false imprisonment).
■ Police are not empowered to arrest for the sole purpose of questioning
or for fishing for evidence.
■ The grounds must already be in existence at the time a person is
arrested.
■ The police must have a reasonable suspicion that a seizable offence
has been committed, is being committed or is about to be committed.
■ The police must communicate the ground of arrest to the arrestee as
quickly as possible.
ARTICLE 5(3)
RIGHT TO BE INFORMED THE GROUND OF ARREST &
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
First Limb – (a) Right to know ground of arrest:
■ ‘As soon as possible’ be defined as ‘as ready as is reasonable in the
circumstances of the case’ in the case of Aminah v Superintendent
of Prison.
■ In Yit Hon Kit v Minister of Home Affair Malaysia, the appellant
was detained under Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of
Crime) Ordinance 1969, the court held that a delay of 57 days in
informing the detainee of the grounds of arrest was held to be
unreasonable.
■ In Kam Teck Soon’s case, it was held that the right to be informed of
the grounds of arrest is not available to provisions passed under
Article 149 and 150.
ARTICLE 5(3)
RIGHT TO BE INFORMED THE GROUND OF ARREST &
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
v. Appeals
– If a person is acquitted and the prosecutor files an appeal under S 5 of Court of
Judicature (Amendment) Act 1976, there is NO double jeopardy.
vi. Preventive Detention
– PP v Musa
– Yeap Hock Seng @ Ah Seng v Minister
vi. Disciplinary Proceedings
– Mohamed Yusoff Samadi v AG
vii. Multiplicity of Proceedings
– Teh Cheng Poh v PP
viii. Re-trial
– PP v Munusamy
■ Appellate criminal courts have power to order a new trial.
– PP v Ooi Khai Chin & Anor
■ Federal Court had jurisdiction to entertain the appeal by prosecution.
Sources:
■ Document of Destiny
■ https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/09/24/prosecut
ion-to-appeal-against-acquittal-of-woman-freed-of-murdering-maid/
■ https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/09/22/prosecut
ion-files-appeal-against-siti-kasims-acquittal/
Thank you
Next Week – Topic 4: FL [Part 2]