Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan says his office will provide the leadership for the development of National Action Plan based on the United Nations guiding principles.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24, 2015:
The government today welcomed the Strategic Framework for a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights drawn up by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
The strategic framework was prepared by Suhakam after round-table consultations with business groups, civil society and government agencies through focus groups and a workshop.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan said the framework set an important direction and supported the drafting of a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights for Malaysia.
“My office will provide the leadership for the development of National Action Plan, based on the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP), which will also require extensive consultation with government agencies, the business sector and civil society.
“The government recognises the integral role that the corporate sector plays in respecting and protecting human rights due to their wide and ever increasing influence in every ordinary person’s life and also the development of Malaysia,” he said in a statement here today.
The UNGP, which was endorsed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2011, has seen wide support and acceptance by governments and corporations due to its broad framework, which also recognises the importance of implementation to meet the needs and stage of development of each country.