MANY governments have been able to achieve economic success because of their respect for human rights, said Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Razali Ismail.

Speaking at the opening of its Human Rights Day event this morning, Razali affirmed that human rights benefits all nations and their people.

“Other countries have achieved great success because they respect human rights. Human rights empowers whole nations to enjoy collective success.

“People crave liberation from poverty and citizens in nations built on greater economic freedom enjoy greater access to ideas and resources to participate fully in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world, leaving no one behind. We cannot continue to leave the Orang Asli behind,” said the former top diplomat in Petaling Jaya.

Razali, the former United Nations secretary-general’s special envoy to Myanmar, said Malaysia’s uniqueness as a diverse country could act as a model for neighbouring countries.

“Nothing would make me feel better than to see our embrace of human rights having an impact in the region and across the world. This region has too many single-powered states and people are clamouring for change.

“As a multi-ethnic country that thrives on peace, our respect for one other can become a model for others and our tolerance the vital factor that has advanced us in the social economic sector and in terms of gross domestic product,” he added.

However, Razali said he was disappointed by the UN Security Council, which has failed to resolve situations in conflict-ridden countries.

“Today, we must remember the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Yemen, Palestine, Syria and Myanmar.

“I am deeply disappointed with United Nations mechanism, especially the Security Council.  

“It has failed to address the conflicts and the UN itself has no clear direction about the ongoing wars. The war in Yemen claims 130 children’s lives every day because of famine.

“About 1.8 million children are dying because of famine. This is what happens when you reject human rights or when you manipulate the terms,” he said.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusoff, representing Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, launched the event today.

The celebration had been postponed from yesterday on the advice of the police, due to it clashing with a massive rally in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – December 9, 2018.