Can NHRIs Bridge the Implementation Gap? Assessing SUHAKAM’s Effectiveness in Malaysia’s Universal Periodic Review

Abstract

Progress in addressing human rights concerns in Malaysia is a product of decades of struggles by its citizens, individually and collectively. Despite the recognition of civil liberties in the Federal Constitution, generally in Malaysia, the distribution of civil, political and socio-economic rights remains restricted. Malaysia has engaged with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over two cycles. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is a key stakeholder in the advancement of human rights in Malaysia and contributes to the UPR process in Geneva as well as by seeking to hold the government accountable to its commitments domestically. A review of the evidence suggests that while SUHAKAM is making good efforts to push the Malaysian government to follow-through on its commitments, its overall effectiveness is in doubt.