STATEMENT BY
MR. AZRIL ABD AZIZ
DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE GENERAL DEBATE ON
THE REPORT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, 1 NOVEMBER 2022
Thank you, Mr. President,
Malaysia wishes to express its appreciation to Ambassador Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council (HRC) for presenting the report of the Council as contained in document A/77/53. We also wish to commend the work of the Human Rights Council’s 2022 Bureau under his leadership.
Mr. President,
2. In line with our HRC membership priorities, Malaysia has and will continue its activism in the HRC. We will also sustain and strengthen our engagement with the Council’s mechanisms and continue supporting the work of the OHCHR. Our active participation at the HRC is a manifestation of Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, both at home and globally.
3. The Human Rights Council plays a crucial role in strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. Malaysia believes that the Human Rights Council should provide the avenue that allows UN Member States to to work together to advance human rights, especially of those most vulnerable.
4. In order to foster an environment which facilitates States to better fulfil their human rights obligations, the HRC should promote the values of constructive engagement, cooperation, inclusivity, transparency and mutual respect.
Mr. President,
5. In line with the universality of human rights, it is imperative that all human rights violations are addressed with the same degree of urgency and vigour, irrespective of where they occur. In this regard, we should not turn a blind eye against longstanding human rights violations. In this regard, Malaysia regrets that such violations, including the systemic oppression of the Palestinians and the Rohingyas, have been allowed to persist. This in part is due to the refusal of some members of the Security Council who are also members of the Human Rights Council, to allow redressing from taking place. Malaysia continues to urge for affirmative action to bring these atrocities to a swift end.
6. At the same time, we regret attempts to introduce human rights concepts that are inconsistent with existing human rights instruments, as well as insensitive towards the unique domestic situation of States. It is imperative that the Council factor in views from all regional groups in deliberating human rights issues, in order to increase acceptance and improve compliance.
Mr. President,
7. The Council has accomplished a great deal since its founding. We are also witnessing several challenges which are undermining its mandate. When Ambassador Villegas took office as the President, he identified some of those challenges to include growing politicisation. Malaysia shares great concern over the increasing politicisation of the Council’s work, which contravenes the basic principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. It is imperative that we avoid such actions, to prevent the Council from facing the same fate as its predecessor.
I thank you Mr. President.