THE Coalition of Malaysian NGOs for the UPR Process (Comango) congratulates Malaysia on its successful bid in securing one of the 18 seats in the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2022-2024 term.
While the achievement is widely cherished, we want to remind the government that the election in itself is not a reward or prize for having an excellent human rights record at home. Many countries that are outright violators of human rights are or have been members of the HRC.
We acknowledge that it is outlandish to expect a nation to have a perfect human rights record. However, Malaysia’s human rights record for one is vastly disappointing, to say the least.
Now that the Malaysian government is part of the HRC, we want to remind the prime minister and his government of their pledges to uphold human rights in Malaysia. Pledges alone do not suffice until they are translated into actions.
On that basis, we hope that the Malaysian government will fulfil its commitments and pledges as announced before, especially:
i) Take a whole-of-society approach in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country, primarily in the assessment, monitoring and implementation of the Universal Periodic Review recommendations.
We note that not all government ministries engage with civil society organisations (CSOs). Even within the government, contestation exists between different ministries on how to approach the issue of human rights.
We call upon the government to enable constructive consultation with civil societies on important decision-making processes. The practice of shifting/passing responsibilities must come to an end.
ii) Continue to engage constructively with the HRC which includes acceding to international core human rights treaties.
Malaysia should not hesitate to adopt international standards into our domestic laws and policies that can enhance Malaysia’s human rights practice.
iii) Implement policies and legislation that promote and protect the rights of the most vulnerable groups.
The recent governments seem to be implementing policies that are popular among the majority. We urge the government of Malaysia today and of the future to challenge the narrative in executing difficult decisions in ensuring the marginalised are afforded similar protection of rights as the majority.
iv) Intensify efforts to promote a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and improve understanding on the effects of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights.
This can be implemented through the plans mapped out in the 12th Malaysia Plan with regard to developing Malaysia holistically. A developed nation should not only be measured by the strength of its economy alone.
We, therefore, call upon the Malaysian government to utilise the opportunity of being in the HRC to work together to strengthen human rights in our nation.
If the prime minister is serious in nurturing Keluarga Malaysia, this is an opportune time for the government to pay attention to the critical voices of civil societies as well as the rakyat who advocate for long-standing issues that have hindered Malaysia’s growth.
The government should encourage Malaysian CSOs to keep the government in check on their pledges and commitments, and not detest critical voices or try to silence them.
It is time for courage amongst the Malaysian political leaders to stand up and speak out against negative and regressive voices against human rights in the country that hide and mask themselves in the name of race and religion to limit the scope of human rights application.
Human rights should be for all human beings in Malaysia irrespective of any affiliation and identity. Silence is no longer an option if we are to stand tall in our role as a global leader in the United Nations on human rights.
We, the civil society in Malaysia, place high expectations on the Malaysian government to use its membership of the HRC to make significant improvements and advancements to its human rights track record in its own backyard, even as it seeks to participate in and contribute to the human rights dialogue internationally.
Remember, human rights is a cornerstone principle for all and should be upheld by all, especially those in authority. – The Vibes, October 17, 2021
Comango is one of the biggest civil society coalitions of its kind in the UPR process, comprising 42 organisations, to engage in the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations
