Foreign Investments At Risk If Human Rights Neglected Un Rights Chief

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The United Nations has warned Malaysia that foreign investments will be harmed in the future if business practices are not human rights-oriented.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said business and human rights issues were discussed with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and cabinet ministers during his work visit to the country today.
“We know that when it comes to business practices… if business practices are not human rights-oriented… yes, it will harm in the future.
“So, businesses and human rights come together,” he told a press conference at the UN office in Putrajaya today.
He said this in response to a media query on whether the exploitation of migrant workers in the country will harm Malaysia’s push to attract foreign investments.
Turk is on a working visit to Malaysia at the invitation of the government.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday (June 3) that the visit is part of Malaysia’s ongoing engagement with the UN to raise human rights awareness.
Turk met Anwar and held meetings with several ministers. He also met with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and members of civil society.
This is his maiden trip to Southeast Asia as high commissioner for human rights. He is accompanied by senior officials from Geneva and Bangkok. They will also visit 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.
Exploitation of migrants
Elaborating on issues of migrant exploitation, Turk said he found more openness when discussing such matters compared to 20 years ago.
“I think the fact that Malaysia is aware that there are issues and that the country wants to tackle them, is good for them.”
Previously, UN special rapporteurs issued a strongly worded statement saying “the situation of Bangladeshi migrants who have lived in Malaysia for several months or longer is unsustainable and undignified”.
“Malaysia needs to take urgent measures to address the dire humanitarian situation of migrants and protect them from exploitation, criminalisation, and other human rights abuses,” they said in a statement on April 19.
They also urged the Malaysian and Bangladesh governments to address the situation, and for Malaysia to fulfil its obligations under the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights to protect migrant workers.
“Malaysia must govern labour migration more effectively by adopting adequate safeguards,” the experts said. - Mkini

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