Human Rights Day Forum 2023

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December to commemorate the  day on which the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Universal  Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights to which everyone is inherently entitled as a human being,  regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinions, national  or social origin, property, birth or another status.

The formal inception of the Human Rights Day commenced in 1950 when the UNGA passed Resolution 423 (V) inviting all States and interested organisations to declare 10 December of each year as the Human Rights Day. 

2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the UDHR. Seizing this valuable opportunity, Malaysia will seek to raise awareness and reflect on achievements, best practices, and challenges in realising human rights and fundamental freedoms. In this context, Malaysia highly values opportunities to advance its human rights agenda through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).  

Human Rights Day Forum 2023 under the theme of ‘UDHR75: Malaysia’s Journey in Advancing the Human Rights Agenda through the Universal Periodic Review’ is co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department, the United Nations in Malaysia and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) with the following objectives:

1. Commemorate UDHR75 and Human Rights Day
2. Promote public awareness and multi-stakeholder engagement in the Universal Periodic Review.
3. Enhance collaboration between the government, civil society, the private sector, media, academia and other stakeholders on key human rights priorities and their linkages to the Sustainable Development Goals.