Coconut Threat Bar Council Should Train Lawyers On Migrant Treatment

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Migrants’ rights activist Adrian Pereira has questioned whether the viral video of a woman claiming to be a lawyer and berating several migrant workers for stealing her coconuts is symptomatic of a wider problem amongst the legal fraternity.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Pereira (above) noted it might be premature to offer specific comments on the video due to a lack of confirmation on the woman’s identity.
The North-South Initiative executive director nevertheless urged the Bar Council to enforce special training, guidelines, and ethical standards for lawyers to interact with migrant workers.
“This is a symptom of a larger problem, and as of now, there is no proper training or guidance on how lawyers should respond to help them (migrant workers) when it comes to these sorts of cases.
ADS“In this case, instead of berating the workers, what the lady could have done is perhaps called them aside to at least educate them about the laws regarding theft in this country, and help them understand.
“To use that form of language on a community that is already marginalised is really uncalled for. And it is not the first time we have seen people from the legal fraternity treat migrants like this,” said Pereira.
He claimed other migrant rights groups also previously received many complaints of lawyers treating migrant workers in disrespectful and unprofessional ways.
“We are not saying all lawyers are bad, but whether there are clear ethics and safeguards on working with marginalised groups is something that needs to be addressed.
“These reforms need to be done systematically so that people in the legal profession will still be taken seriously,” he added.
‘Lawyer’ calls migrants ’bodoh’
Earlier today, PSM pledged free legal representation to the migrant workers who were threatened with legal action for allegedly plucking three coconuts.
In the viral video, the woman referred to the workers as “bodoh” (stupid) and “bloody fool”, threatening to sue them for theft and demanding RM5 for each coconut.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said the incident revealed a “disturbing lack of empathy and basic decency”.
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim also criticised the incident, emphasising that a lawyer is not merely an enforcer of rules, but a custodian of justice, fairness, and empathy. - Mkini

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