Chapter 3- Report of the Research and Policy Development Group The Commission believes that active engagement with the HRC is essential to engender meaningful deliberations among member-states and stakeholders at the UN level. Input by NHRIs is needed to inform the discussions and provide a more accurate perspective of the human rights situation on the ground. The Commission sees the independent participation rights granted by HRC to NHRIs as an invaluable privilege that should be utilised as much as possible. It will therefore continue to submit contributions. While the Commission commends the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for inviting Mr Olivier De Schutter and facilitating his visit, it calls upon the Government to extend an invitation to other Special Rapporteurs, some of who have repeatedly requested to carry out visits. Screen capture of the Chairman’s video statement on older persons, delivered at the 24th Session of the HRC One mechanism under the HRC involves the Special Procedures, which seek to provide expert advice and publicly report on thematic human rights issues of a given country. Designated experts – often known as Special Rapporteurs – conduct country missions upon the invitation of the respective Governments and offer advice and recommendations. Malaysia extended an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Mr Olivier De Schutter. During his visit in December, the Special Rapporteur held discussions with stakeholders including the Commission. While the Commission commends the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for facilitating his visit, it calls upon the Government to similarly extend an invitation to other Special Rapporteurs, some of who have repeatedly requested to carry out visits. 3. UN RESOLUTIONS ON NHRIs Two resolutions relating to NHRIs were adopted by consensus at the HRC and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) respectively. These were instrumental in promoting acknowledgement of NHRIs at the international level. Building on the practice of 2011 and 2012, the HRC, at its 23rd Regular Session in June, adopted a third resolution on NHRIs (A/HRC/RES/23/17).3 Sponsored by Australia, it reiterated recognition of the increasingly important role of NHRIs in promoting and protecting human rights, 3 98 Available at: http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/RES/23/17