STATEMENT BY
MS. HANIZAH MOHD IZZUDDIN
COUNSELLOR
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE SESSION WITH
THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
MS. MICHELLE BACHELET
13 OCTOBER 2021, NEW YORK
Mr. Chair,
I would like to thank the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet for her comprehensive report.
Mr. Chair,
2. States have the primary role to promote and protect human rights. Malaysia for its part remains steadfast in pursuing its human rights obligations. We acknowledge the crucial contribution of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and each of the human rights treaty body mechanism in facilitating States in fulfilling their international human rights obligations.
3. In this regard we would like to express our appreciation to Madam High Commissioner Bachelet and the OHCHR in Geneva and New York for the transformative work that enabled the OHCHR to quickly adapt its activities to contribute to the global response to the pandemic.
4. Malaysia is personally appreciative of OHCHR’s support to strengthen the capacities of States, United Nations country teams and civil society to implement the recommendations of human rights mechanisms as well as treaty body capacity-building programmes which were held online due to COVID-19 situation.
Mr. Chair,
5. The global spread of COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted Malaysia and countries around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly reversed gains and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has become more challenging. Pivotal to recovery efforts is the issue of vaccine equity. We regret that vaccine distribution around the world continue to reflect the longstanding inequalities that have existed long before the emergence of the pandemic. We hope that the OHCHR would undertake a greater role in addressing the gap of vaccine distribution so that all peoples around the world can be safe from the pandemic. Access to vaccine should also be seen as a human right on its own.
6. In our efforts to rebuild, recover and to ensure that no one is left behind, we are encouraged that the OHCHR has in its field engagement integrated human rights and economic analysis into UN’s programming. We also welcome that the OHCHR has developed a framework of human rights indicators for the COVID-19 crisis as part of a United Nations framework for an immediate socioeconomic response to COVID-19. This will further strengthen the rights-based approach in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and place human rights at the heart of efforts to build back better.
7. In concluding, Malaysia hopes to continue working closely with the OHCHR as we continue to address the challenges faced by States and foster better collaboration between the international community and the UN System, as we work hand in hand, in facing a pandemic that has impacted all facets of human rights.
I thank you.