Chapter 3 - Report of the Research and Policy Development Group especially in mechanisms of the HRC such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), special procedures and treaty bodies. The resolution encouraged NHRIs to intensify their engagement with these processes, inter alia, by submitting Parallel Reports and other relevant information. It underscored the role of NHRIs in promoting gender equality and in advancing women’s rights, and eliminating discrimination as well as violence against women and girls. NHRIs should be allowed to participate independently in any UN forum related to human rights. The UNGA, at its 68th Session in New York, adopted a resolution on NHRIs which, in essence, was based on the UN SecretaryGeneral’s Report on NHRIs, which is presented biennially. The thrust of the UNGA resolution was to bolster recognition of NHRIs and its coordinating body, the ICC, as key actors in the promotion and protection of human rights. It requested the UN SecretaryGeneral to focus, in his next report, on the participation of Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs in UNGA and other related UN fora, with a view to exploring the feasibility of granting independent participation rights to NHRIs in these mechanisms. Unlike at the HRC, NHRIs currently do not enjoy the privilege of participating independently in most of the New York-based UN fora, including the Commission on the Status of Women and the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, all of which serve as important avenues for deliberations on human rights issues. The Commission is of the opinion that there should not be any distinction in the granting of independent participation rights to NHRIs among the different mechanisms within the broader UN system. NHRIs should be allowed to participate independently in any UN forum related to human rights. It views the adoption of both resolutions, in particular the UNGA resolution, as an initial but crucial step towards achieving independent participation rights for NHRIs in all UN fora. Despite receiving wide cross-regional support and cosponsorship by numerous developed and developing countries, both resolutions were not co-sponsored by Malaysia. The Commission finds the Government’s stance regrettable and is puzzled by this lack of support. It is not in keeping with the Government’s commitment, delivered at its second UPR in October, to continue advancing the promotion and protection of human rights. While the Commission is mindful that an NHRI should focus on domestic issues, input by NHRIs at the UN level is imperative for informed discussion. In this regard, Malaysia’s co-sponsorship would have reinforced the resolutions and would have been the right position for a country that is a member of the HRC and which is campaigning for a seat on the UN Security Council. While the Commission is mindful that a NHRI should focus on domestic issues, input by NHRIs at the UN level is imperative in encouraging more meaningful and informed discussion. 99