STATEMENT BY
MR. LUTFI SHEIKH GHAZALI
LONG TERM DELEGATE TO THE 76TH UNGA,
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE SESSION WITH
DR. NAJAT MAALLA M’JID
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN
7 OCTOBER 2021, NEW YORK
Mr. Chair,
I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid for her presentation.
COVID-19 lockdowns and school closures have impacted more than a billion children around the world. A matter of concern is the increased reports of violence against children during the pandemic. There is an urgent need for international partnership to address the root causes of violence against children and for mechanisms to be put in place to stop and prevent violence against children.
At the national level, Malaysia has a strong legal framework to combat violence against children, including sexual violence along with adequate social protections for children. There is also a dedicated law enforcement unit for investigating such crimes. These set of legislations addresses several main areas namely child pornography, sexual grooming, physical and non-physical sexual assaults, abuse position of trust, as well as effectively widens the definition of sexual abuse in Malaysian laws.
Malaysia’s commitment is further evident with the establishment of the Special Court for Sexual Crimes against Children, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, aimed at accelerating the hearings of sexual crime cases against children while protecting the interests and wellbeing of child victims and the needs of child witnesses.
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia has also developed several national plans, that ensures the protection children against neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation, including in cyberspace.
Victims of child sexual abuse also have access to support mechanisms such as social protections and universal health coverage. Malaysia is currently focusing on investing in technology to combat all forms of violence against children, particularly sexual violence, to sends a strong message that the country is serious in its warfare against sexual predators. Malaysia also has a national notice and takedown policy that allows members of the public to report potentially unlawful child sexual abuse content. In addition, the telecommunications industry’s code of conduct covers issues relating to sexual violence against children. This whole of society approach is important to ensure that all walks of lives in Malaysia’s society is engaged on this important issue.
Mr. Chair,
We need to strengthen our resolve to do all we can to end all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation of children. For our work to build back better is to protect our future – to protect our children.
I thank you Mr. Chair.
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