NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Pressing Human Rights Issues Ÿ Violence against women Ÿ Discrimination against women Ÿ Violence by state mechanisms, particularly enforced disappearance, torture and extra judicial killings Ÿ Situation in CHT and local access to justice Ÿ Discrimination against indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities Ÿ Religious minorities Ÿ Migrant workers Ÿ Discrimination against people with disabilities Ÿ Basic economic and social rights for all citizens Ÿ Health rights Ÿ Lack of awareness and responsibility of public servants towards peoples’ human rights Ÿ Child rights and child labour Ÿ Right to education Ÿ Access to justice for the poor Ÿ Climate change and environmental issues Ÿ Compliance with ratified international human rights instruments This is not an exclusive list, nor is it in any particular order. It may be amended following consultation on this strategic plan. Moreover, other urgent human rights issues are likely to emerge from time to time which require the Commission’s attention. These will be added to the Commission’s priorities as necessary. The NHRC’s intention is to hold a roundtable with relevant stakeholders working in each of these thematic areas. The purpose of the roundtables would be to identify what strategies and activities are already underway and how the Commission can use its official status and powers to advance the particular human rights issue. A working agreement would result which would specify the roles of each of the partners in the exercise with medium term outcomes and key performance indicators. 6. Focal Areas for Next Five Years 6.1 Institutional Development of the NHRC Unless we build the NHRC into an efficient and effective institution, we have little hope in achieving the long-term goals we have set for ourselves, let alone our shorter term strategies or meeting the high expectations that the establishment of the NHRC has generated. At present nearly all the staff allocated to the Commission have administrative or financial roles – we have practically no technical staff. As already noted, our current premises are only temporary and we have received only a nominal budget. These shortcomings have meant that we have been unable to establish appropriate systems, infrastructure and logistics, let alone make a start on fulfilling our extensive responsibilities. 81