EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Achievements were recorded in expanding human rights awareness by involving student leaders from polytechnic institutes, and the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. At a different level, a permanent human rightsbased training curriculum is in the offing for prison officials. The EWG worked closely with the Training Centre for Local Authorities to promote human rights to enforcement officers from Selangor and Penang. For the first time, a workshop was held to expose community leaders to issues of human rights and good governance. In addition, artistes were drawn into discussion of their role in disseminating information on human rights through the arts. REPORT OF THE COMPLAINTS AND INQUIRIES WORKING GROUP (CIWG) The Commission received 1,232 complaints at its Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching offices from individuals, political parties and civil society groups. Most of the complaints were on the provisions of preventive detention laws, in particular the 60-day remand period, two-year detention order or two-year restriction order under the ISA, Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 and Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985. The detention of minors and young adults under preventive detention laws remains a disturbing practice. Alleged offences involving this group could well be dealt with under the Penal Code, for example. This would ensure protection of the human rights of young offenders both under domestic law and international treaties. A notable activity during the year was the monitoring of 19 public assemblies in response to requests from organisers. As the secretariat, the CIWG assembled a team comprising Commissioners and officers to observe each event and, if required, to mediate between the police and organiser during the assembly. REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WORKING GROUP (LRITWG) Human rights issues involving freedom of expression, freedom of association, preventive detention, refugee rights, the death penalty, and the rights of sexual minorities provided further scope for the Working Group’s activities. Efforts continued to persuade the Government to accede to such international human rights treaties as the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. 8