Resident Coordinator's speech: Investigation of potentially unlawful death following the Minnesota Protocol

YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Harikrishna K. R. Nair, Director of Hospital Kuala Lumpur 

Yang Berusaha Dr. Kiran Ganesh, Deputy Director of Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Summary or Arbitrary Executions

Yang Berusaha Dr. Mohamed Azaini Ibrahim, Chairman of the Workshop,

Ms. Cynthia Veliko, Regional Representative to for South-East Asia, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Distinguishes experts, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my distinct honor to open this historic workshop on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Deaths, guided by the Minnesota Protocol.

On behalf of the UN in Malaysia, I welcome you to Kuala Lumpur. 

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our gracious hosts and co-organizers for assembling such a distinguished lineup of eminent experts. This gathering reflects a shared commitment to advancing excellence and fostering collaboration in addressing the critical subject before us today.

Distinguished participants,

The investigation of potentially unlawful deaths is not only a technical necessity but a profound obligation that resonates across legal, social, and human dimensions. 

Behind every death lies a story, a family, and a community seeking truth, justice, and closure—needs that are often fulfilled through meticulous and transparent investigations.

A well-functioning medico-legal death investigation system has far-reaching implications. 

It safeguards human rights, upholds the rule of law, and ensures accountability, addressing the breaches of the right to life that occur when investigations fall short. 

The impacts extend further, as robust investigation systems are crucial in natural disaster response, ensuring the proper identification of remains. 

Recent and ongoing extreme weather and floods across Malaysia underscore the country’s vulnerability to such disasters, and the critical need for preparedness and for effective response mechanisms both here and in neighbouring countries.

Medico-legal death investigation systems can also identify societal hazards, such as faulty consumer goods or patterns in traffic-related fatalities, prompting preventive measures to save lives. 

Similarly, autopsy findings from individuals who died of COVID-19 contributed significantly to developing preventive strategies and improving patient survival rates during the pandemic.

High quality medico-legal death investigation systems can save lives. 

Such systems undeniably strengthen the administration of justice and the rule of law by delivering precise, reliable evidence to courts for criminal prosecutions, ensuring fair and accurate legal outcomes.

The Minnesota Protocol stands as the gold standard for investigating unlawful deaths, offering a vital and practical framework. 

While its primary audience includes medico-legal and forensic experts, its relevance extends to judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, NGOs, researchers, and others engaged in probing potentially unlawful killings. It ensures investigations meet the highest standards, fostering accountability and justice.

I am truly heartened to see representatives from such a wide range of institutions present here today and bringing such robust expertise and diverse perspectives.

This workshop presents a unique and pioneering opportunity to lay the groundwork for the creation of a world-first hub dedicated to advancing the Minnesota Protocol and enhancing the investigation of unlawful deaths across the region. Such a hub holds the potential to not only elevate standards regionally but also serve as an inspiring model for other parts of the world.

The timing is also opportune, with Malaysia formally assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN in a few weeks’ time at an important moment in the regional organization’s history. The year 2025 will mark important anniversaries and milestones, such as the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The presence of several esteemed experts from the region who will speak today shows the possibility of this project to stand as an example of best practice in regional cooperation as well as south-south cooperation more broadly. 

The presence of esteemed experts and speakers from the region highlights the potential of this project to serve as a model for best practices in regional cooperation, as well as a prime example of South-South cooperation. 

The UN in Malaysia, coordinated by the Office of the Resident Coordinator, is supporting national efforts to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 

With only 6 years left till the 2030 target year, delivering on the promise to leave no one behind is more urgent than ever. 

SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. It calls for reducing violence and promoting the rule of law, ensuring equal access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Other goals and targets pledge to prevent or reduce death and uphold the right to life. 

This initiative fits well within our work and efforts to ensure a human-rights based approach to delivering the 2030 Agenda and translating commitments to concrete solutions. 

My office stands in full support of this important endeavour, and I hope to join you in a few years as Malaysia proudly inaugurates a training hub, with the Minnesota Protocol as a cornerstone of its guiding principles.

I wish you a productive workshop and pleasant stay in Kuala Lumpur.

Thank you.