LAWYER and activist Ambiga Sreenevasan, who was recently awarded a top jurist honour in Spain, hopes Malaysia will take issues of human rights and rule of law seriously. 

Referring to the World Jurist Association’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medals of Honour 2023, which she received from King Felipe VI of Spain, the former Bar president said the world is watching Malaysia closely to see on how it upholds human rights and rule of law in the country. 

“I believe it (the award) is a recognition by the international committee of the work of activists who are fighting for the rule of law and human rights in Malaysia in so many ways. 

“With this, I hope there is a realisation that human rights and the rule of law matter to jurists worldwide and that we are judged by how we promote them in Malaysia.

“Malaysia is on the UN Human Rights Council, so we do have a duty, in my view, to promote these important, fundamental concepts at home,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insight. 

On Tuesday, Ambiga was accorded the World Jurist Association’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medals of Honour 2023 for her work in advocating free elections and women’s and human rights.

Ambiga was among five female recipients of the award given recognition for their work in promoting the rule of law, equality, breaking the glass ceiling and inspiring other women.

Ambiga said she felt privileged and humbled to receive the award. 

“I feel so privileged and humbled by the award of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medal of Honour by a long-standing and respected organisation like the World Jurist Association and in the name of one of the greatest jurists of our time.  

“More was the honour in receiving it together with other distinguished and outstanding women who have stood up courageously for the rule of law and human rights in their countries,” she said. 

The World Jurist Association’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medals of Honour is given to eminent female jurists whose work and activism has promoted the rule of law and equality, breaking glass ceilings and paving the path for other women and girls to follow in their footsteps and become future leaders. 

The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg was only the second woman in US history to be elevated to the Supreme Court.

Ginsburg was famous for her litigation work on gender equality and women’s rights, earning her the moniker “The Notorious RBG”.

She died in September 2020 at the age of 87. 

This year, besides Ambiga, the other four who received the award were former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay from South Africa, the United Kingdom’s first female Supreme Court chief justice Brenda Hale, former Fijian Human Rights Commission head and co-founder of Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Imrana Jalal, and former Afghanistan Supreme Court judge Asifa Kakar. 

Ambiga said Malaysia has to continue to strive for equality and for human dignity for everyone. 

Among the ways, she said, is to have a better Malaysia by being more inclusive. 

“We must courageously resist divisiveness and any form of extremism if we are to succeed as a nation.  

“We have to speak up even if it seems like we are not being heard. 

“We have only one country. If we fail at setting things on the right path then our children will suffer for that. We must never think our voice does not matter. 

“We must not allow bullies and wrongdoers to drown us out. They will do their best to do so. But if we are single-minded and our goals clear, then we can aspire to greater heights,” she said. 

Ambiga is also a recipient of the 4th Commonwealth Rule of Law Award (2019) from the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, the United Nations Award (2018), Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) (2011), and US Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage Award (2009). – May 14, 2023.