In a strong call to action, a coalition of three Indigenous, human rights, and environmental groups is urging Malaysia to fortify its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. They emphasise that enforceable provisions are essential to halt deforestation and combat climate change while safeguarding human rights. The proposed reforms encompass improvements to tackle corruption, labour rights, and environmental issues, yet without legal commitments, these intentions lack efficacy.
Celine Lim from SAVE Rivers expresses concerns over the ineffectiveness of voluntary corporate commitments, stating, “We have a long history of voluntary corporate commitments providing no real protections to environmental and Indigenous rights defenders or their territories.” She advocates for robust laws that incorporate penalties for violations to protect Indigenous communities who have suffered significant losses to their land over recent decades.
Moreover, the draft plan pledges to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but advocates assert the need for comprehensive federal legislation that ensures free, prior, and informed consent is entrenched in legal frameworks. Attention is drawn to Sarawak, which lacks public participation in social and environmental assessments, reinforcing the necessity for mandatory practices.
The prime minister’s support for federal laws protecting freedom of information and whistleblowers is a promising sign, with a proposed act ensuring public access to environmental data vital for affected communities. Furthermore, the legislation aims to prevent vexatious legal actions against defenders of rights and journalists, thereby nurturing a supportive environment for free speech.
The Borneo Project’s Jettie Word underscores the reality that earlier commitments faltered due to poor enforcement, reiterating that effective implementation and enforcement are crucial for success. Malaysia’s dual governance of land and forest management poses challenges, exemplified by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities’ initiatives for sustainable palm oil practices, which still necessitate stringent enforcement across the board.
The coalition recommends establishing a national cap on timber plantations in line with forest preservation goals, alongside rigorous enforcement to uphold the integrity of these initiatives. They advocate for the revocation of permits from offending companies to enhance accountability.
Luciana Téllez Chávez from Human Rights Watch stresses that legislative action is necessary to protect human rights and mitigate environmental impacts, commending the federal government’s progress while urging deeper commitments to foster meaningful change for communities facing the brunt of deforestation.
A coalition of three Indigenous, human rights, and environmental groups is advocating for Malaysia to enforce its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Key priorities include halting deforestation, ensuring accountability for corporations, and instilling laws to protect Indigenous rights and environmental integrity. The proposed reforms lack enforceability due to insufficient legal frameworks, prompting calls for legislative measures to enhance corporate accountability and safeguard communities.
The urging call from a coalition of Indigenous, human rights, and environmental organisations highlights the imperative for Malaysia to enforce its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. By establishing enforceable legal provisions that ensure the protection of Indigenous rights and the environment, Malaysia can stride toward commitments to halt deforestation and combat climate change effectively. The path to real change demands stronger laws, accountability, and active participation from all levels of governance.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
