VIRTUAL RECEPTION HOSTED BY HON. FOREIGN MINISTER FOR MALAYSIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC) CANDIDATURE 5 OCTOBER 2021
VIRTUAL RECEPTION HOSTED BY HON. FOREIGN MINISTER FOR MALAYSIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC) CANDIDATURE 5 OCTOBER 2021
The Honourable Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia hosted a Virtual Reception for the Diplomatic Corps for Malaysia’s Candidature to the Human Rights Council on 5 October 2021, ahead of elections on 14 October 2021 at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
During the Virtual Reception, the Hon. Foreign Minister shared Malaysia’s aspirations and priorities for the Human Rights Council. Among others, he emphasized Malaysia priority for a whole-of-society approach in the promotion and protection of human rights, namely for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Hon. Foreign Minister reiterated Malaysia’s continued implementation of obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD). On the remaining core human rights instruments, he emphasised Malaysia's initiatives to review the instruments and to promote greater understanding, especially at the grassroots level.
The Hon. Foreign Minister assured Malaysia’s commitment to work closely with all Human Rights Council mechanisms namely, the Special Procedures Mandate Holders (SPMH) as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). He emphasized Malaysia’s intention to foster a spirit of constructive and practical engagement, cooperation, inclusivity, transparency, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect.
The Hon. Foreign Minister also highlighted youth, vulnerable groups, business and human rights, climate change, cultural rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as focus areas for Malaysia’s candidature.
The Virtual Reception also received support from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). His Excellency Tan Sri Othman Hashim, Chairman of SUHAKAM, in his remarks, reaffirmed SUHAKAM’s endorsement for the Government’s bid and the pledges. SUHAKAM also offered its cooperation to work with the Government in furthering the protection and promotion of human rights under the 12th Malaysia Plan and other national mechanism.
Malaysia’s candidature is currently endorsed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia Pacific regional grouping (APG) of the Human Rights Council.
Malaysia had been an active member of the Human Rights Council twice before, from 2006- 2009 and 2010-2013. Therefore, Malaysia’s bid to be elected as a member of the Human Rights Council for the term 2022-2024, with the theme “In Unity for Humanity”, reflects the country’s determination to continue to make progress in its efforts to protect and promote human rights, both domestically and internationally. Malaysia will continue engaging constructively as a Council member and actively contribute towards human rights advancement for all.
PUTRAJAYA
5 OCTOBER 2021