Panel Discussion on “Upholding Child Rights in Malaysia: Progress, Partnership and Participation” on the sidelines of the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council
On 4 July 2025, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations in Geneva organised a panel discussion entitled “Upholding Child Rights in Malaysia: Progress, Partnership and Participation” on the margins of the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council.
The event served as a timely platform to reflect on Malaysia’s journey in promoting and protecting the rights of the child and formed part of Malaysia’s preparations for its upcoming CRC review in January 2026.
The side event brought together national and international stakeholders to share good practices, identify gaps, and explore new partnerships in advancing child rights. It highlighted Malaysia’s institutional reforms, legislative efforts, and multisectoral initiatives to ensure the protection, empowerment and holistic development of all children in the country.
The event featured the following panellists:
- Ms. Farah Kareena binti Hadenan, Deputy Secretary, Policy and Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia [online];
- Ms. Fanny Rotino, Child (Online) Protection Officer, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) [in-person];
- Dr. Farah Nini Dusuki, Child Commissioner of Malaysia [online];
- Ms. Sophie De Coninck, Head of Operations in Fundamentals Branch, Governance Department, International Labour Organization (ILO) [in-person]; and
- Ms. Emilyn Ayra Binti Khairul Hisham, Malaysian Child Representative [online].
The panel was opened with a video recording of remarks by The Honourable Dato' Sri Nancy binti Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia.
The discussion offered valuable insights into the collaborative efforts between Malaysia, UN agencies and civil society to strengthen the child protection ecosystem. The event demonstrated Malaysia’s constructive engagement with the CRC review process and reaffirmed its commitment to realising the rights of every child, in line with international obligations and national priorities.
Among the key topics discussed were the strengthening of the role of the Child Commissioner under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), the integration of CRC principles into national policies, capacity-building programmes, international cooperation in safeguarding safety of the child in the digital environment, and translating legislation into practice in eliminating child labour. The panel also touched on the importance of amplifying the voices of children and child participation in shaping decisions that affect their lives.
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