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INTERVENTION BY

MR. AHMAD RADZI MOHD ZIM

LONG-TERM DELEGATE TO THE 77TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

DURING THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH

MS. SIOBHÁN MULLALLY

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS,

ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN

THIRD COMMITTEE OF THE 77TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, 17 OCTOBER 2022

Mr. Chair,

 

We wish to thank Madam Special Rapporteur for her briefing

 

Malaysia welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report, which indicated a decrease in the number of trafficking victims from around 50,000 in 2018 to 45,000 in 2020. However, there is more that needs to be done. Trafficking in persons poses a significant threat to many countries. Malaysia has been contending with this issue for quite some time due to its geographic location as well as conducive political and economic conditions.

 

Therefore, we have undertaken a number of efforts towards addressing this issue domestically. Malaysia has recently amended the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act for the third time, amongst others, to increase the penalty for trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants offences. This amendment entered into force in February this year.

 

Furthermore, the Government had also launched the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators as well as National Action Plan on Anti-Trafficking in Person 2021-2025 in February and March 2021 respectively, to combat and increase awareness on this issue and also established a Special Court for Anti-Trafficking in Persons. On the assistance front, we are implementing a Victim Assistance Specialist Programme with the participation of NGOs, psychologists, and other community resource providers.

 

Mr. Chair,

 

Addressing the root causes of trafficking in persons is essential to curb this issue. Our question to Special Rapporteur is, given the transboundary nature of the issue, what are the existing multilateral mechanisms or tools that have been effective in assisting States in countering and identifying traffickers as well as intermediaries who are profiting from this heinous act?

 

I thank you.