Yasmeen secures highest votes, rejoining UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

This marks her second tenure on the committee, having previously served from 2013 to 2017.

24 Jun 2026 04:52pm

Malaysian lawyer and child rights advocate Datuk Yasmeen Muhamad Shariff has been re-elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for the 2027-2031 term after securing the highest number of votes in yesterday's election. - Photo: Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) / FACEBOOK

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysian lawyer and child rights advocate Datuk Yasmeen Muhamad Shariff has been re-elected to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for the 2027-2031 term after securing the highest number of votes in yesterday's election.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM), in a statement today, said Yasmeen, 68, obtained 136 votes out of 189 States Parties present at the 21st Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, held at the UN headquarters in New York.

The ministry added that this marks her second tenure on the committee, having previously served from 2013 to 2017.

"This success reflects the confidence and recognition of the international community towards Malaysia’s continuous commitment to championing children’s rights in line with CRC principles," the statement read.

KPWKM said that as a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Yasmeen will serve in her personal and independent capacity.

"She will contribute to the committee's mandate in monitoring the implementation of the CRC, engaging in constructive dialogue with States Parties, and promoting a rights-based approach to addressing challenges affecting children worldwide," the statement added.

Meanwhile, KPWKM highlighted that Malaysia has consistently undertaken initiatives to uphold children's rights. This includes organising the programme ‘A Journey of Malaysia’s Participation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),’ which involved foreign diplomatic representatives sharing the country’s efforts and achievements.

"This milestone is also the result of close cooperation between KPWKM, the lead ministry for CRC implementation in Malaysia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which played a pivotal role in the nomination process and international engagement efforts that contributed to Malaysia's success," the statement said.

KPWKM gave its assurance that the MADANI government will continue to ensure every child is given an equal opportunity to develop, be protected, and achieve their full potential, alongside strengthening the children's rights agenda both nationally and internationally. - BERNAMA