By Bernama | The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia hosted the inaugural Human Rights and Environmental Rights Dialogue in Putrajaya on Thursday, serving as a vital platform for engaging stakeholders and reaffirming its commitment to promoting human and environmental rights in the region.
Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry together with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), and the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) hosted the dialogue at Wisma Putra in Putrajaya.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the dialogue, convened by Malaysia’s Representative to AICHR in 2025, Edmund Bon, and themed “Malaysia’s Human Rights Priorities for ASEAN 2025 as Chair,” served as a key platform for Malaysia to engage stakeholders and reaffirm its commitment to advancing human and environmental rights across the region.
“The dialogue brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, businesses, academia, and public policy institutes to exchange ideas and provide insights that will guide Malaysia’s priorities under its Chairmanship,” the statement read.
SUHAKAM chair Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus and BHEUU Deputy Director General (Policy and Development) Dr Punitha Silivarajoo were present.
“Their participation underscored the importance of partnerships between government institutions and civil society in addressing regional challenges,” the statement read.
As Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, the foreign ministry stated it will lead efforts to champion an inclusive and forward-looking agenda, with human rights and environmental rights at the forefront.
“This dialogue reflects Malaysia’s commitment to its leadership role in ASEAN and its vision for a more just, equitable, and sustainable region,” it added.
