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Malaysia UPR 4th Cycle

COMANGO & KAMY's involvement in the UPR process

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council

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​​in which each member state (or country) undergoes a peer review of its human rights records every 4.5 years. Other member states provide recommendations to the state under review, and the state under review can decide whether to accept, partially accept or note the recommendations received. Once the decision regarding the recommendations is made, the state under review will then have till the next UPR cycle to implement these recommendations.

How is Malaysia part of this process?

To begin, Malaysia compiles its national report, detailing the country's human rights situation and progress made since the last review in 2018.  This report serves as a cornerstone for the UPR process

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​Simultaneously, civil society organisations within Malaysia, including local NGOs, submit their own reports.   These alternative perspectives provide a comprehensive view of the human rights landscape in the country, complementing or challenging the official government report.

This is where  COMANGO comes in!

COMANGO (Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the Universal Periodic Review Process) is a key civil society alliance in Malaysia, formed in 2008.

It unites various human rights organisations to participate in Malaysia's UPR process.

 

COMANGO plays a vital role by providing alternative reports on the country's human rights situation, ensuring civil society perspectives are heard alongside the government's official report.

Writing Paper

So....what’s the outcome of the UPR process?

Malaysia's 4th UPR cycle outcome

Total recommendations: 348
Accept in full = 182
Accept in part = 41
Take note = 125

UPR Outcome Document Recommendations that Malaysia accepted in full (related to climate crisis & Business and Human Rights) :​

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  • 55.207 Take into consideration the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities in climate change strategies (Timor-Leste)

  • 55.208 Take into account the rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities in climate change adaptation strategies (Viet Nam)

  • 55.209 Take into account the rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities in climate change strategies (United Arab Emirates)

  • 55.210 Incorporate the rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities into climate change strategies (Russian Federation)

  • 55.214 Strengthen its implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including by expediting the conclusion of its first business and human rights national action plan (Thailand)

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Source: Outcome Document / Addendum

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/my-index

Why does the UPR process matter?

  • The UPR process recognises that climate change affects fundamental human rights
    including the rights to life, health, food, water, housing, and self-determination. It provides a crucial platform to raise climate-related human rights issues on a global stage.
     

  • Through the UPR, NGOs can pressure governments to develop effective and inclusive action plans and policies
    This process encourages collaboration between human rights and environmental groups, promoting a rights-based approach to climate advocacy.

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  • Engaging with the UPR can give visibility on the realities and experiences on the ground and provides a platform for CSOs to hold governments accountable
    The current UPR cycle's timing, coinciding with CEDAW, creates an opportunity for developing a rights based advocacy for climate and environment.

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How can this help your advocacy?

1. Integrate human rights into climate policies
​Environmental groups can use Malaysia's adopted UPR recommendations when engaging in processes like the National Adaptation Plan and Climate Change Act. This approach ensures climate-related policies incorporate a rights-based perspective.
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2. Collaborate with KAMY / COMANGO
We encourage environmental and human rights organisations to engage with us and actively participate in UPR implementation processes. This collaboration strengthens the advocacy of environmental rights.
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​3. Foster intersectionality
The UPR process provides a unique opportunity to bridge environmental and human rights groups. By working together, these groups can address the intersectional nature of climate change and human rights issues, creating more comprehensive and inclusive solutions.
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​4. Hold the government accountable
UPR outcomes serve as a powerful tool for civil society to monitor and ensure that Malaysia's climate actions align with its international human rights commitments. This accountability mechanism helps maintain focus on both environmental and human rights objectives.

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