The United States’ comments on respect for human rights in other countries via the Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council are carefully crafted with the goal of providing useful, targeted recommendations.
The United States believes the Universal Periodic Review has the potential to effect real change in countries throughout the world; because the Universal Periodic Review is not just a review that occurs in Geneva every four years, but is an ongoing, daily mechanism to advance human rights around the world.
“We are encouraged by Malaysia’s 2012 repeal of the Internal Security Act as a sign of its commitment to strengthening human rights,” U.S. Representative Ms. Miriam Schive said recently at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council that was in session in Geneva, Switzerland. “We also note Malaysia’s cooperation with the Office of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees on migrant issues.”
The United States encouraged Malaysia “to look at ways to further bring their country’s domestic security legislation in line with its international human rights commitments on the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.”
The United States also noted Malaysia’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons, and expressed hope that victim care and protection in particular would be improved.