Chapter 3- Report of the Research and Policy Development Group The Commission strongly hopes that the Government would give due consideration to the recommendations with a view to adopting them. An enhanced SUHAKAM Act would not only promote better outcomes in the fulfilment of the Commission’s functions, but would also be in line with ICC-SCA’s call for greater compliance with the Paris Principles. Furthermore, it would be consistent with the UPR recommendation submitted by Turkey to Malaysia at its second UPR, calling for the strengthening of the Commission, which Malaysia had accepted in full. While the performance of an NHRI does not depend entirely on its enabling legislation, the indispensable role of the founding law as a precondition for an independent and effective NHRI is indisputable. As one of the 16 members of the ICC Bureau, the Commission attended both meetings of the Bureau in March in Geneva, Switzerland, and in October in Johannesburg, South Africa, respectively. The two Bureau meetings discussed updates and highlights from the four regions namely Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe; the ICC strategic and implementation plans; financial matters of the ICC; and the report and recommendations of the ICC-SCA. While the performance of an NHRI does not depend entirely on its enabling legislation, the indispensable role of the founding law as a precondition for an independent and effective NHRI is indisputable. The Commission also participated in the ICC Annual General Meeting held in Geneva in March, during which several thematic panel sessions took place, including discussions on the second cycle of the UPR, the Belgrade Principles on the Relationship Between NHRIs and Parliaments, and national human rights action plans. As a panel member, Chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam delivered a presentation, on the Commission’s experience in the ICC accreditation process. In addition, the Commission had the honour of drafting an ICC statement on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was presented at the 27th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council. Furthermore, the Commission succeeded in its bid to become a member of the ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights. Through the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs (APF), the Commission was elected as a member of the Working Group for two years starting March 2015. The Working Group facilitates NHRI engagement in the area of business and human rights, which is emerging as an increasingly important and prominent human rights issue. 2. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (HRC) The Commission acknowledges the significance of the Human Rights Council in promoting and protecting human rights especially through the palpable and intense involvement of UN Member States. Being the primary organ dealing with human rights within the United Nations system, the 82