Who We Are
What is HAYAT?
HAYAT, meaning "life" in Malay, is a Kuala Lumpur-based organization committed to advocating for rehabilitative and restorative justice, with a focus on decarceration, drug policy reform, and the total abolition of the death penalty. To do so, our projects revolve around:
Monitoring and advocating for reform within the prison system and other forms of incarceration, actively working to highlight the need for improved conditions and policies that prioritize rehabilitation over punitive measures.
Advocating for non-incarceration alternatives in criminal matters, emphasizing restorative justice and rehabilitative practices that prevent the need for imprisonment wherever possible.
Supporting communities that focus on the reintegration of former prisoners into society and providing resources to ensure successful transitions and reduce recidivism.
Conducting policy research on issues related to incarceration, criminal justice, and rehabilitation, generating evidence-based insights that can influence better policy decisions in Malaysia.
Empowering grassroots communities by providing them with the necessary policy knowledge and advocacy skills, helping them pursue common goals and drive social change at the local level.
Our beliefs
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Our vision at Hayat is a world where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, is empowered to understand, advocate, and uphold their fundamental human rights. We envision a society where the right to life is universally respected, and torture is unequivocally condemned.
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Hayat’s mission is to empower grassroots communities to become active participants in human rights advocacy, with a particular focus on the right to life and torture prevention. We aim to achieve this through education, capacity building, and the promotion of dialogue and cooperation. We are committed to fostering an environment where individuals are not only aware of their rights but are also empowered to defend them and advocate for others.
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is our north star and outlines the principles that we stand by.
We believe that human rights are universal and inalienable. All people everywhere in the world are entitled to them.
Meet the Team
