Agreement renewed between Nepal and Malaysia’s Human Rights Commissions

September 23, 2026

KUALA LAMPUR:- The National Human Rights Commissions of Malaysia and Nepal have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at protecting the rights of migrant workers and the general public residing in both countries. The agreement between the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC-Nepal) has been renewed for a three-year period, spanning from 2026 to 2028. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Hishamudin Yunus, Chairperson of SUHAKAM, and Top Bahadur Magar, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the SUHAKAM headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. First signed in 2019, this Memorandum of Understanding—which covers the protection of workers' rights, bilateral communication regarding complaints, joint monitoring, investigations, and information exchange—had been renewed twice and remained in effect until March 28, 2024. Throughout this period, Suhakam has continuously collaborated with various non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the Nepali Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to assess the situation of the approximately 400,000 Nepali workers in Malaysia. Between 2021 and August 2026, 46 complaints regarding human rights violations against Nepali workers were filed in Suhakom. The complaints cite serious issues such as employers confiscating passports, requiring work for 12 hours a day for 30 consecutive days without breaks, withholding or delaying wages, demanding unpaid overtime, and maintaining unsafe working environments. Under the renewed agreement, both commissions will investigate incidents of human rights violations against workers, monitor conditions in detention centers, study the causes of high mortality rates, and conduct policy advocacy regarding recruitment fees and the risk of forced labor. Furthermore, both commissions have agreed to facilitate increased access for Nepali workers to Malaysia's social security scheme (SOCSO), collaborate on protecting the rights of female workers and promoting gender equality, review laws and policies to provide recommendations to the government, and assist in enhancing the capacity of workers in the security sector. During the agreement signing process, the Nepali delegation held bilateral discussions with the Embassy of Nepal in Malaysia, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Malaysia, the Malaysian Prison Department, and the Social Security Organization (SOCSO). Meanwhile, both commissions have urged Nepali workers who have experienced or witnessed human rights violations in Malaysia to register complaints with SUHAKAM by scanning a QR code. It has been stated that the complaints received will be addressed in accordance with SUHAKAM's confidentiality protocols and complaint resolution procedures.

The agreement between the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC-Nepal) has been renewed for a three-year period, spanning from 2026 to 2028.

Dato’ Seri Mohamed Hishamudin Yunus, Chairperson of SUHAKAM, and Top Bahadur Magar, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the SUHAKAM headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

First signed in 2019, this Memorandum of Understanding—which covers the protection of workers’ rights, bilateral communication regarding complaints, joint monitoring, investigations, and information exchange—had been renewed twice and remained in effect until March 28, 2024. Throughout this period, Suhakam has continuously collaborated with various non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the Nepali Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to assess the situation of the approximately 400,000 Nepali workers in Malaysia.

Between 2021 and August 2026, 46 complaints regarding human rights violations against Nepali workers were filed in Suhakom. The complaints cite serious issues such as employers confiscating passports, requiring work for 12 hours a day for 30 consecutive days without breaks, withholding or delaying wages, demanding unpaid overtime, and maintaining unsafe working environments.

Under the renewed agreement, both commissions will investigate incidents of human rights violations against workers, monitor conditions in detention centers, study the causes of high mortality rates, and conduct policy advocacy regarding recruitment fees and the risk of forced labor.

Furthermore, both commissions have agreed to facilitate increased access for Nepali workers to Malaysia’s social security scheme (SOCSO), collaborate on protecting the rights of female workers and promoting gender equality, review laws and policies to provide recommendations to the government, and assist in enhancing the capacity of workers in the security sector.

During the agreement signing process, the Nepali delegation held bilateral discussions with the Embassy of Nepal in Malaysia, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Malaysia, the Malaysian Prison Department, and the Social Security Organization (SOCSO). Meanwhile, both commissions have urged Nepali workers who have experienced or witnessed human rights violations in Malaysia to register complaints with SUHAKAM by scanning a QR code. It has been stated that the complaints received will be addressed in accordance with SUHAKAM’s confidentiality protocols and complaint resolution procedures.

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