Key Issues KEY ISSUES To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. Nelson Mandela The Honourable Prime Minister’s commitment in September 2011 to repeal or amend laws that have long been regarded as oppressive of human rights principles came to fruition in 2012, with the annulment of three Emergency Proclamations and the lapsing of related laws, as well as: • Repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA), Banishment Act 1959 and Restricted Residence Act 1933; • Amendments to, among others, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Police Act 1967, and Universities and University Colleges Act 1971; and • Enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Security Offences Measures) Act 2012. (Special While the Commission welcomes these initiatives, and supports the Government in its efforts toward democratic reforms and to safeguard human rights and freedoms, there are problems with regard to certain provisions in the new and amended laws that need to be resolved. In addition, there are outstanding human rights issues to which the Government must continue to give its attention. Among these are freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and information, and the rights of vulnerable groups. 11