UN Malaysia congratulates government on election to human rights council

Malaysia was on Thursday elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2022-2024.

It obtained 183 votes to take one of the 18 seats at the HRC.

In a statement Friday the UN in Malaysia also congratulated the Government of Malaysia for its third-time election to the HRC and for its progressive pledges and commitments.

"We welcome Malaysia's commitment to raise human rights awareness among all stakeholders in a national effort to realise the right to development for all, protect and promote cultural rights, engage in climate action, and roll out the national action plan on business and human rights," it said in a statement on Friday.

UN in Malaysia also applauded the government's commitment under its theme "Unity for Humanity" to fulfill its obligations under core human rights instruments such as 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)," it said.

It said the UN in Malaysia will also continue to support Malaysia's efforts throughout the Universal Periodic Review process.

The Monitoring Matrix, it added, mapped to relevant human rights conventions alongside the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is an invaluable tool.

"Also, being one of only a few countries that use the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' (OHCHR) National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD) provides a breakthrough opportunity for Malaysia," it said.

The statement added that the United Nations also stands ready to support South-South cooperation and experience sharing in the region and beyond, building on Malaysia's recent interactions with special rapporteurs on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, Cultural Rights as well as on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, including Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and other Child Sexual Abuse Material.

This is the third time Malaysia sits on the HRC.

The first time was in 2006-2009 and subsequently for the 2010-2013 term.

The HRC is a 47-member inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights.

It considers all thematic human rights issues, human rights violations and specific situations requiring attention.