MALAYSIA SEEKS UNHRC MEMBERSHIP; REQUESTS USG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000841 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA SEEKS UNHRC MEMBERSHIP; REQUESTS USG SUPPORT ¶1. (U) The Government of Malaysia has announced its candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2010-2013 term (see text of diplomatic note and GOM paper below) and is seeking USG support. Department guidance requested. ¶2. (U) Begin Text of October 20 GOM Diplomatic note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to inform that the Government of Malaysia has decided to present its candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2010-2013, at the election scheduled to be held during the 64th session of the UNGA in May 2010. The Ministry has further the honour to transmit herewith Malaysia,s Pledges and Voluntary Commitments related to the candidature. In presenting its candidature, Malaysia reaffirms its full commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights both at the domestic and international levels. Should Malaysia be elected as a member of the Council, Malaysia would continue to pledge its support and commitments to the work of the Human Rights Council as the principal United Nations body mandated to advance the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world in accordance with the United National General Assembly Resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006. The Government of Malaysia would highly appreciate the valuable support of the Government of the United States of America, for Malaysia,s candidature to the Human Rights Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. PUTRAJAYA 20 October 2009 End Text of Diplomatic Note ¶3. (U) Begin Text of GOM Paper re UNHRC candidacy: (Title) Malaysia Pledges and Voluntary Commitments for its Candidacy to the Human Rights Council (2010 ) 2013) Malaysia was an inaugural and founding member of the Human Rights council from 2006 to 2009. In accordance with General Assembly Resolution 60/251, Malaysia is presenting its candidacy to the Human Rights Council for the period 2010 to 2013 at the elections to be held during the 64th Session of the General Assembly in May 2010 in New York. Malaysia,s candidature signifies its deep commitment to respect and uphold the inalienable and indivisible nature of all human rights both at the international and domestic levels. To that end, Malaysia believes that its membership of the Human Rights Council would contribute toward enriching the quality of dialogue, cooperation and action aimed at advancing the promotion and protection of human rights for all peoples. Malaysia is party to the Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and is in the final stages of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Malaysia is also undertaking efforts to review reservations made to CEDAW and CRC. Malaysia is also party to the fundamental International Labour Organisation Conventions on the freedom of association and collective bargaining (convention no. 98),elimination of forced and compulsory labour (convention no. 29),elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation (conventions no. 100) and abolition of child labour (conventions no. 138 and 182). Malaysia is actively considering acceding to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR),the Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) and the convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). At the same time, Malaysia is also studying other core human rights treaties. Highlights of Malaysia,s prior involvement and contribution towards strengthening the international community,s capacity KUALA LUMP 00000841 002 OF 003 for promotion and protection of human rights within the context of the Human Rights Council include constructive engagement in the institution-building process of the council; review, rationalization and improvement of special procedures mandates; operationalisation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and other council mechanisms and 2009 Durban Review Conference, among others. Malaysia,s deep commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights is clearly enshrined in its Federal Constitution. The constitutional guarantees for the promotion and protection of human rights are given effect through various legal, policy, administrative and institutional measures which have been conscientiously and consistently implemented by successive governments since independence in 1957. Malaysia is committed to the principles of good governance, democracy, and rule of law. As a multi-ethnic, multi religious and multicultural society, Malaysia is keenly aware of the need to maintain a balance in the promotion and protection of civil and political rights on one hand and economic social and cultural rights on the others. National priorities in the field of human rights following Malaysia,s first UPR by the Human Rights Council in February 2009 include: - Increasing support for the roles and functioning of the National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM); - Continuing efforts to raise human rights awareness among all segments of the population including law ) enforcement officials, members of the judiciary, government officials and other stakeholders; - Establishing a National Child Policy and a National Child Protection Policy as well as their respective Plans of Action; - Establishing a National Policy on Women as well as the National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women; - Continuing fostering meaningful and productive engagement between the government machinery and civil society, and - Strengthening capacities for implementation and enforcement measures for human rights conventions which Malaysia is party to alongside reconsidering of instruments which it has yet to accede to. Malaysia firmly believes that the Human Rights Council has an important role to play in universalizing the promotion and protection of human rights and in ensuring their effective enjoyment. Towards that end, if elected as a member, Malaysia will strive to ensure that the Council remains a credible, effective and just body entrusted with the responsibility of promoting and protecting the human rights of all peoples. In addition, Malaysia pledges to: - Deepen and widen its cooperation with and support for the work of various United Nations actors and mechanisms involved in the promotion and protection of human rights such as the OHCHR, Special Procedures of the Human Rights council, UNHCR, UNDP, UNFPA, UNIFEM, INSTRAW, UNICEF and UNEP including through, inter-alia, voluntary contributions; - Uphold the principles of dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders in furthering the promotion and protection of human rights for all peoples, without distinction or discrimination of any kind; - Further, the United Nations development agenda, particularly in realizing the right to development, including support for ongoing efforts aimed at its operationalisation and implementation; - Share best practices, experiences and achievements in economic, social and cultural rights, including advancing women,s and children,s rights, poverty eradication and education with interested partners; - Engage constructively with all its partners and stakeholders to ensure that the international community continues to create a supportive external environment towards the creation of economic stability, shared prosperity and equitable gains from globalization; - Continuously engage with all its partners and stakeholders to assess and monitor the implementation of recommendations from the UPR process, and - Continue working at the regional level with its partners KUALA LUMP 00000841 003 OF 003 under the ASEAN framework, in particular, with the newly established ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in the promotion of human rights in the region. End Text of GOM Paper KEITH