KUALA LUMPUR (March 22, 2012): United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon yesterday called on Malaysia to ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and further promote freedom and peace in the country.
In a special address titled 'Malaysia and the United Nations in a Changing World,' Ban outlined steps the country could take in accordance with the UN's five priorities for future work.
"Malaysia and its neighbours face challenges related to human rights; this includes protecting the rights of migrants, particularly the rights of undocumented migrant workers.
"I commend the government of Malaysia for its goodwill that it has shown to refugees and migrants as it has done so for many years.
"It would be timely to build on this goodwill by ratifying the UN Refugee Convention and its alternate protocol," he said to the 200 ministers, diplomats and public present.
Ban also commended the government on its efforts to reduce poverty and on the setting up of the bi-partisan parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms.
"I hope the electoral reform process will lead to a truly transparent and credible system," he said.
He welcomed the repeal of the Internal Security Act, and hoped the replacements laws would be in full compliance with international human rights standards.
On the Israel-Palestine issue, Ban urged both countries to exercise restraint.
"A two-state vision can only be realised through negotiation and engagement from both sides," he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Malaysia would seek a non-permanent member seat in the UN Security Council from 2015 – 2016.
"Malaysia has had the opportunity to contribute to the worth of the Security Council before and we hope to do so again," he said during his opening remarks.
"We have always seen the UN as a beacon of hope, global peace, progress, prosperity and security," Anifah said, adding that Malaysia will be committed to work with the UN.
Ban left for Singapore yesterday after a two-day official visit to Malaysia, his first since assuming office for a second term in 2007.
Source : TheSundaily
Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. BERNAMAIn a special address titled 'Malaysia and the United Nations in a Changing World,' Ban outlined steps the country could take in accordance with the UN's five priorities for future work.
"Malaysia and its neighbours face challenges related to human rights; this includes protecting the rights of migrants, particularly the rights of undocumented migrant workers.
"I commend the government of Malaysia for its goodwill that it has shown to refugees and migrants as it has done so for many years.
"It would be timely to build on this goodwill by ratifying the UN Refugee Convention and its alternate protocol," he said to the 200 ministers, diplomats and public present.
Ban also commended the government on its efforts to reduce poverty and on the setting up of the bi-partisan parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms.
"I hope the electoral reform process will lead to a truly transparent and credible system," he said.
He welcomed the repeal of the Internal Security Act, and hoped the replacements laws would be in full compliance with international human rights standards.
On the Israel-Palestine issue, Ban urged both countries to exercise restraint.
"A two-state vision can only be realised through negotiation and engagement from both sides," he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Malaysia would seek a non-permanent member seat in the UN Security Council from 2015 – 2016.
"Malaysia has had the opportunity to contribute to the worth of the Security Council before and we hope to do so again," he said during his opening remarks.
"We have always seen the UN as a beacon of hope, global peace, progress, prosperity and security," Anifah said, adding that Malaysia will be committed to work with the UN.
Ban left for Singapore yesterday after a two-day official visit to Malaysia, his first since assuming office for a second term in 2007.
Source : TheSundaily
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