Chapter 1 - Report of the Education and Public Relations Group The objectives were to create awareness of the Commission’s roles and functions, to obtain feedback on human rights issues, to respond to questions raised, and to collaborate with government agencies at the district and state levels to promote and protect human rights. The programme also provided an avenue for complaints to be lodged. The Commission observed that most of the issues raised were related to dissatisfaction with local councils and law enforcement agencies. Participants said they found it taxing to lodge complaints and blamed this on ineffective communications within the government agencies. Some alleged discrimination in the enforcement of the law, while others claimed to have been disregarded in terms of development opportunities. As a result, some were of the view that they could only make their voices heard through public demonstrations. The Commission emphasised the need for both the government agencies and the communities to fully understand the concept of human rights and to respect this. 6. COURTESY CALLS (a) Visits by Various Organisations Commissioners James Nayagam and Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah were on hand to welcome a delegation on 28 November from the Ombudsmen Members of the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The six-member delegation led by Mr Hung Chao Nan was assisted by Ms Chen Jin-Ling, Deputy Director, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, who acted as interpreter. The visit was to share knowledge and best practices in protecting and upholding human rights. Dr Mutuma Ruteere, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination and Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, visited the Commission on 20 November. Vice-Chairman Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee chaired an informal meeting to discuss issues of racial discrimination. Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, Vice-Chairman of the Commission, chairs an informal meeting with Dr Mutuma Ruteree, UN Special Rapporteur 46