16 I CIVIL LIBERTIES evident need to function with openness and clarity. The Andrabi case remains sub judice, with no progress having been made in bringing to justice those allegedly responsible for his abduction and subsequent death. The Commission regrets the persistence of such a simation, just as it does the lack of cooperation extended to it through the denial of access to records requested by it in respect of trials conducted against members of the para-military forces accused of human rights violations. The tragic incident that occurred in Bijbehara on 22 October 1993 is illustrative of this recalcitrance. The Commission had been compelled to move a Writ Petition before the Supreme Court but the records have not as yet been forthcoming. Indeed, in a case relating to the conduct of members of a para-military force in the north-eastern State of Manipur, a similar problem has arisen, with the Home Ministry repeatedly denying access to the records required by the Commission. However, the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, has indicated that he will look into the issue personally. 3.19 For these reasons, and most of all to fulfil its Statutory purpose of ensuring the 'better protection' of human rights in the country, the Commission is convinced that there is urgent need to amend, inter alia, Section 19 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The amendments proposed by the Commission have been pending before the Central Government since March 2000, adversely affecting the Commission in the performance of its duties. The Commission cannot but reiterate its strongly held view that amendments to the Act, along the lines proposed by it, are long over-due. It urges the Central Government to proceed with the needed amendments without further delay. 3.20 The Commission also takes this occasion to draw attention to its earlier recommendations in respect of the armed forces made in its preceding report, including inter alia its view that the Central Government should direct the armed forces, including the para-military forces, to report to the Commission — as does the police—any case that might occur of the death of persons while in their custody. This requirement, if observed with care, would go a long way towards ending acts of custodial violence and the possibility of extra-judicial killings. Such a development could transform the conduct of the armed forces including the para-military forces, and also, incidentally, reduce the allegations brought against them of violence of this kind, which is impermissible imder the laws of our land and contrary to the principles of international human rights law and humanitarian law. 3.21 In the course of the year under review, the Commission, after considering with care the complaints brought before it against the armed forces, including the paraNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION