HUMAN RIGHTS & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

– “NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND”-

PROHAM congratulates the global community & the United Nations in formulating the 2030 Global Agenda entitled “Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development”.

This action plan which replaces the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), is universal in nature and comprehensive in the range of issues and concerns addressed pertaining to development, economy, human rights and the environment.

The theme of “no one will be left behind” is most critical so as to ensure that inclusive development is within the reach of all people and communities.

PROHAM also recognises that Malaysia endorsed this global action plan and at New York the Prime Minister has made an open pledge for its effective implementation in Malaysia and its role in the global and regional arena.

Yesterday (Oct 1, 2915), PROHAM hosted a lecture entitled “Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals” (SDG) delivered by Dr Lin Mui Kiang at Brickfields Asia College, PJ Campus

In the lecture she heighted the details of the 2030 agenda with 17 goals and 169 specific targets. 

She recognised that Malaysia did very well in fulfilling the MDGs but also indicated that there were some gaps in addressing urban poverty & inequality, concerns pertaining to quality of education and achievements as well as some emerging health issues which should be addressed in the SDGs.

It was noted that the SDGs will provide a more comprehensive framework in addressing the concerns of the bottom 40% ensuring not just equal access but also outcomes. The SDGs build on a strong commitment to people centred development, human rights, environmental sustainability.

In the discussion that followed a number of key issues were raised which requires greater attention in Malaysia. These include:-

First, the Agenda 2030 could serve as the Outline Perspective Plan for Malaysia (2016 -2030) thereby encompassing three Malaysia Plan (11^th, 12 & 13)

Second, concerns were raised on effective implementation and monitoring. In this context it was felt that capability building of the officers is necessary to enhance so that they can undertake the delivery in a more effective way.

Third, concern was raise with the dual talk of national leaders – the conversation and discourse at the global stage is very universal and human rights friendly however at the home ground issues are very narrowly defined and inconsistent with the global agenda. There is often a down playing of the human rights framework for sustainable development especially the empowerment of the poor, women and indigenous forest based communities. 

Fourth, it was felt that greater efforts must be taken by government to collecte and release data including disaggregated data so as to ensure all sections of the Bottom 40% community especially forest based communities and ethnic minorities have equal access to the services in the spirt of inclusive development for all.

Fifth, while it is the primary role of the civil service to ensure effective delivery and monitoring, it was felt that there must be greater space provided for civil society, academics and private sector participation in this process.

An open dialogue process should be facilitated so as to enhance the participation of all stakeholders in an effective way as sustainable development partners.

In this context PROHAM proposes that the Federal Government establishes a “National Consultative Council on Agenda 2030” very much like the National Economic Consultative Council of the past with a full time secretariat utilising existing resources from within EPU, ICU & Pemandu.

The Federal Government must ensure that this Council is comprised of Malaysians from both sides of the political divide as well as representatives from ethnic, professional societies including members from academia, civil society and private sector.

Issued on behalf of PROHAM by Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, (PROHAM, Secretary General)

Oct 2, 2015