Malaysia Joins UN’s Human Rights Council Even Though We’re Not Really Great At It

Malaysia will be part of the Council for three years.

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Malaysia is now part of the United Nation’s (UN) Human Rights Council, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He made the announcement on social media saying that the country has 183 votes on the 2022-2024 term.

We are ready to play an active role – to be the facilitator for conciliation, enabler for cooperation, and builder of consensus. Malaysia will work closely with UN Member States to advance the global human rights agenda, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As our nations lay the groundwork for a sustained and inclusive recovery post Covid-19, human rights must be kept at the centre of all our efforts. In unity, for humanity.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Malaysia is not the only country which has been accepted into the Council as the United States is making a comeback after withdrawing three years ago.

What is it?

The UN’s Human Rights Council is a intergovernmental body within the United Nations (UN) system that discusses about human rights issues happening worldwide.

It’s made up of 47 countries and membership is based on geographical distribution. Below is how these seats are distributed:

African States: 13 seats
Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
Western European and other States: 7 seats
Eastern European States: 6 seats

The membership would last for three years and countries who have served two consecutive terms are not eligible for immediate re-election.

How is Malaysia doing in the human rights department?

Although the country has been accepted into the Council, Malaysia’s human rights track record hasn’t been stellar.

Previous reports have pointed out that there are a few things which we’re lacking in that department such as not really complying with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and dropping down to Tier 3 from Tier 2 in the US State Department’s annual human trafficking report.

The Tier 3 list has 17 countries in it, including North Korea, Syria and Afghanistan.

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Hakim Hassan

Unkempt in both stories and appearance, Hakim loves tech but tech left him on read, previously he used to write about tall buildings and unoccupied spaces that he can't afford, and legend has it that he still can't afford it to this day