CHAPTER 3 - REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WORKING GROUP Based on the meeting with the government representatives and the meeting with the UNHCR in 2010, it is the Commission’s assessment that even though Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 Convention, it has been providing assistance to refugees on humanitarian grounds, which may be considered to be in compliance with the Convention. As such, it is the Commission’s view that there is room for the Government to comply with the Convention on a progressive basis, with the view to ultimately acceding to it. Subsequent to these meetings, the Commission sent a paper on refugee rights to the Malaysian National Security Council, outlining proposals for the Government to allow NGOs and corporate bodies to provide assistance to the refugees. The Government has yet to respond to the proposals, which include: (i) Health aspects • To allow NGOs and corporate bodies to provide donations and to support refugees’ medical costs so that they can enjoy free treatment at government hospitals; although a discount of 50% is given, most of the refugees still cannot afford treatment • (ii) It is the Commission’s assessment that even though Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 Convention, it has been providing assistance to refugees on humanitarian grounds, which may be considered to be in compliance with the Convention. To allow NGOs and corporate bodies to offer the services of volunteer doctors to provide medical treatment to refugees Work aspects • To allow NGOs and corporate bodies to employ refugees • To be more lenient towards refugees with UNHCR cards should they be caught for working without a permit (iii) Education aspects • To allow NGOs and corporate bodies to build or support the establishment of more community schools for refugee children so that they can enjoy a better future • To allow NGOS and corporate bodies to donate educational materials such as computers, books and stationery to community schools • To consider admitting refugee children into government schools (iv) Guidelines for NGOs and corporate bodies • To provide guidelines for NGOs and corporate bodies interested in assisting refugees, so that they are able to carry out projects that are compatible with the Government’s policies 54