Statement at the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Report report of Malaysia
Delivered by Azura Nasron, SUARAM
Thank you, Mr /Madam President.
CIVICUS, SUARAM, FORUM-ASIA, ARTICLE 19 and CIJ welcome the government of Malaysia's engagement with the UPR process.
Since its last review, Malaysia has only partially implemented three out of eleven recommendations relating to civic space. While in the previous cycle, the government accepted recommendations to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, it appears to have backtracked on this commitment in this cycle.
Our organisations are concerned that the government - despite pledging human rights reforms - did not accept any recommendations to repeal laws that curtail freedom of expression, such as the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act. Instead, the state has continued using these laws to criminalise human rights defenders, the opposition and critics, block websites, raid bookstores, harass journalists, and ban films.
The government also did not accept recommendations to revise the Peaceful Assembly Act, which has been used to restrict and criminalise protests. Additionally, the state failed to accept recommendations to protect human rights defenders - who continue to face arrests, harassment, threats and online violence.
As a UN Human Rights Council member, we urge the government to take its role seriously by ratifying core treaties, abolishing restrictive laws that silence dissent, and creating an enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders to exercise their right to defend. At the same time, the passage of right to information legislation and establishment of the media council must occur without delay.
We thank you.
Civic space in Malaysia is rated as Obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor
See our joint submission on Malaysia for the UN Universal Periodic Review