PUTRAJAYA – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk will undertake a working visit to Malaysia tomorrow at the invitation of Putrajaya.
The Foreign Ministry in a statement today has said the visit is part of Malaysia’s continued engagement and collaboration with the United Nations to raise human rights awareness and strengthen literacy for the enjoyment of human rights by fellow Malaysians.
Turk is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and hold meetings with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and other members of the cabinet.
He will also be meeting the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, or Suhakam, as well as members of civil society, according to the statement.
Turk will be accompanied by senior officials based in Geneva and Bangkok on his maiden trip to Southeast Asia as head of the UN human rights agency. The visits will also include Thailand and Laos.
This is the second visit by a UN high commissioner for human rights to Malaysia, following former high commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s visit in 2019.
Malaysia remains an active and constructive member of the Human Rights Council in Geneva and has served three terms – from 2006-2009, 2010-2013 and 2022-2024.
Malaysia will conclude its current term on December 31, 2024.
On a related matter, Malaysia had successfully presented its fourth national report on the situation of human rights to the Human Rights Council in January 2024.
The UN General Assembly established the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 1993 to facilitate efforts by member states in promoting sustainable development and enhancing international cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights. – June 3, 2024