Advisory Capacity on Legal Aspects & Policies OVERVIEW SUHAKAM is a National Human Rights institution (NHRI) that is independent of the government, with a broad legal mandate to protect and promote human rights at the national level in an independent manner. As an NHRI, SUHAKAM sits between the government and civil society and works in cooperation with civil society and state actors to provide an accurate account of the human rights situation, with recommendations to government and Parliament, as well as other state bodies. SUHAKAM’s mandate includes advising and assisting the government in formulating legislation, policies and procedures, and making recommendations for the accession of international human rights treaties. In this regard, SUHAKAM through its Law and International Treaties Division conducts reviews of various existing laws as well as proposed bills to assess their impact on human rights. 1. Amendment to SUHAKAM Act 1999 (Act 597) SUHAKAM has consistently advocated for amendments to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 to strengthen its mandate and powers. In this regard, SUHAKAM submitted its proposed amendments to the Institutional Reform Committee (IRC) as well as at the Jawatankuasa Khas Mengenai Anti-Rasuah (JKKMAR). SUHAKAM reiterated its position and recommendations at both meetings for Malaysia to accede to the remaining international human rights treaties in response to the government’s call to improve Malaysia’s human rights at the world level as well as to ensure its performance is on par with global development.