UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for an end to hate speech and misleading campaigns against expatriate workers and refugees in Malaysia.
Volker Turk said, ‘The various contributions of immigrants to society deserve recognition, respect and appreciation.’
According to a study by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, he said, “Majority of Malaysians clearly recognize the contribution of expatriate workers to the country’s economy and society.”
Citing the research survey, Volker Turk said that when there is support for everyone, our society is stronger, about 63 percent of the participants in the survey think.
More than half of the participants think we should help others, no matter who they are or where they come from.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights said, ‘It is very important to prevent misleading propaganda and hate speech about migrants and refugees.’
He arrived in Malaysia last Sunday and met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Foreign Minister Utama Haji Mohammad bin Haji Hassan, other ministers, Malaysian National Human Rights Institution and members of civil society.
He also spoke about the Myanmar crisis, the Rohingya issue and reminded Malaysia of its role as the next chair of ASEAN.
Emphasizing the urgent need for a solution to Myanmar’s volatile situation, Volker Turk said, ‘A society’s progress can be measured by how it treats the most vulnerable, and is indeed a litmus test of social and human rights protection.’