CHAPTER 3 - REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WORKING GROUP Where laws and policies are concerned, it was raised at the Forum that the Child Act 2001 and national mechanisms need to be improved to reflect the principles of the CRC in guaranteeing the rights of children. The Commission took note of several general comments on the CRC which were highlighted at the Forum and will pursue the matter to monitor the State’s obligations and implementation. As a national human rights institution, the Commission feels it should undertake monitoring to oversee CRC implementation in Malaysia. As such, the Commission is in the midst of gathering input from NGOs and relevant Government agencies to draft an independent report to the UN CRC Committee, which is due in 2012. 3. MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CRPD) In 2009, the Commission had sent a study to the MWFCD on the extent to which laws and policies complement the CRPD in protecting and upholding the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD). To the extent that there are no inconsistencies, the Commission is of the view that Malaysia will face no hindrance in implementing the requirements of the CPRD, through the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 and the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities. The Commission welcomed the Government’s commitment to uphold the rights of PWD by the ratification of the CRPD in July, almost two years after signing it in April 2008. Nevertheless, Malaysia has expressed reservations to Article 15 on the freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and to Article 18 on the liberty of movement and nationality. On 23 September, the Commission organised a Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on ‘Accessibility Issues of Persons with Disabilities’ to gather relevant views and challenges. The Commission took this opportunity to explore possible solutions to the accessibility issues faced by PWD, in consultation with their associations. 53