This article was reproduced from The Star and can be found here.

THE Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) aka Pusat Rakyat LoyarBurok is setting up a resource centre to improve the people’s understanding of their rights.

With that, the people will be able to enhance their participation in public life.

MCCHR chief executive office Lim Ka Ea said the centre would be launched tomorrow.

She said it would provide the public, particularly youths, free access to information on human rights, civic education, rights of indigenous people and other subjects.

She added that the centre was being set up with assistance from the European Union.

“The promotion of democracy and human rights is at the heart of the EU’s external relations policy and activities with civil society.”

She said that a well-informed and educated electorate was “a key characteristic of a mature, participative democracy where the rights of all are protected.”

Currently, she said, the centre has about 400 printed and non-printed materials, consisting of books on human rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, law, social science, history, politics, and legal reference books.

Lim said the centre is open to everyone, with no fee charged.

The services provided include lending, reservation, advisory services and literature searches.

The MCCHR Resource Centre also has links with other libraries, including the National Library.

“The MCCHR believes that information plays a vital role in empowering youths,” he said, adding the greater availability and access to information, youths would be better equipped to defend their human rights and to participate meaningfully in nation-building.

The launch will take place from 10.30am to 1pm at MCCHR, 3-4, 4th Floor, Jalan Bangsar Utama 3, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

In an interview, Lim said the launch was in conjunction with the first anniversary of UndiMsia! which was launched last year on Malaysia Day.

The anniversary celebrations of the initiative to build action communities and empower citizens includes an auction for a date with “sexy, Malaysian movers and shakers” involved in social initiatives.

The band To Kill a Mockingbird, comprising four college students, will be performing.

The other young entertainer, said Lim, is 17-year-old Emeka Agu who has been studying in Malaysia the last four years.

She said there would also be a viewing of the documentary ‘Ombak Perubahan’ directed by The S-Ploited, in association with Wayang LoyarBurok, which tells the history of social justice movements in Malaysia, with comparisons to Indonesia and the Philippines.

For details, visit www.facebook.com/undimsia

Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR) is a non-profit based in Kuala Lumpur with the mission of promoting active democratic participation and human rights awareness.

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