PRESS STATEMENT
KUALA LUMPUR (28 MARCH 2022) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRCN) today has renewed our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Rights of Migrant Workers and People Residing in Both Countries for another two years.
The MoU which was first signed on 14 November 2019 in Nepal was later extended for another year on 17 December 2020 in response to restriction following the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s renewal of the MoU will help intensify existing partnership towards promoting and protecting the rights of the migrant workers and people residing in both countries through exchange of information, bilateral communication relating to the complaints, joint monitoring, research, and other activities.
Thus far through the MoU, SUHAKAM conducted several activities such as engagements with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) working on the issues of Nepalese migrant workers, engagement with the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur and investigating cases of human rights violation faced by migrant workers including the death of Nepalese migrant workers.
The engagement with the CSOs and the Embassy of Nepal are among the positive outcomes of the MoU. Through the MoU, the embassy was able to share information and statistic with regards to the Nepalese migrant workers in Malaysia with SUHAKAM. In addition, through the MoU, NHRCN will also promote SUHAKAM as one of their partners in addressing human rights issues of migrant workers in Malaysia throughout their media such as radio announcements. This will allow NHRCN to disseminate information to a wider Nepalese crowd in rural regions.
Therefore, the renewal of the MoU and the updated Action Plan, and the relaxation made on the standard operation procedure (SOP) by the Government in the transition to the endemic phase will allow the parties to resume the planned activities which were deferred previously due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apart from the signing ceremony with SUHAKAM, the NHRCN will be on their official visit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28 March 2022 to 1 April 2022 to conduct a prison visit and meet with community members from Nepal, CSOs and key agencies who work on issues relating to the rights of migrant workers in Malaysia.
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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
28 March 2022
Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my
KENYATAAN MEDIA
KUALA LUMPUR (28 MAC 2022) – Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) dan Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Kebangsaan Nepal (NHRCN) hari ini telah memperbaharui Perjanjian Persefahaman (MoU) tentang Hak Pekerja Migran dan Orang yang Menetap di kedua-dua Negara untuk tempoh dua tahun.
MoU yang pada pertama kali ditandatangani pada 14 November 2019 di Nepal kemudiannya disambung setahun lagi pada 17 Disember 2020 sebagai respons kepada sekatan berikutan pandemik COVID-19. Pembaharuan MoU ini akan membantu meningkatkan kerjasama bagi mempromosi dan melindungi hak pekerja migran dan mereka yang menetap di kedua-dua negara melalui pertukaran maklumat, komunikasi dua hala berkaitan aduan, pemantauan bersama, kajian dan sebarang aktiviti lain.
Setakat ini, melalui MoU ini SUHAKAM mengadakan beberapa aktiviti seperti libat urus dengan badan bukan kerajaan (BBK) dan organisasi masyarakat sivil (CSO) bagi menangani isu-isu melibatkan pekerja Nepal, libat urus dengan Kedutaan Nepal di Kuala Lumpur dan menyiasat kes aduan pelanggaran hak asasi manusia yang dihadapi oleh pekerja migran termasuk kematian pekerja Nepal.
Keterlibatan bersama CSO dan Kedutaan Nepal merupakan antara hasil positif daripada MoU ini. Melalui MoU ini, kedutaan boleh berkongsi maklumat dan statistik berkenaan pekerja Nepal di Malaysia dengan SUHAKAM. Melalui MoU ini juga, NHRCN mempromosi SUHAKAM sebagai salah satu rakan kongsi dalam menangani isu hak asasi manusia pekerja migran di Malaysia melalui media mereka seperti pengumuman radio. Ini membolehkan NHRCN untuk menyebarkan maklumat kepada warga Nepal di Kawasan pedalaman.
Oleh itu, pembaharuan MoU dan Pelan Tindakan yang telah dikemas kini, serta kelonggaran Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) oleh Kerajaan yang sedang beralih ke fasa endemik akan membolehkan kedua-dua pihak untuk kembali meneruskan aktiviti yang dirancang yang telah tertangguh akibat daripada pandemik COVID-19.
Selain daripada penandatanganan MoU dengan SUHAKAM, NHRCN juga akan mengadakan lawatan rasmi di Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia dari 28 Mac 2022 hingga 1 April 2022 untuk melawat penjara dan berjumpa dengan komuniti Nepal, CSO dan agensi utama yang bekerja dalam isu berkenaan hak asasi pekerja migran di Malaysia.
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Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
28 Mac 2022
Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my
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