Chairman’s Message Nations, is obliged to uphold. Instead, they persist in holding on to the misperception that UDHR is only concerned with such issues as freedom of religion, and the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. This lack of understanding and slow progress towards accession to the remaining core conventions will hinder the country from taking progressive steps towards its goal to become a developed nation by 2020 in all respects. To mitigate this issue, the Commission is working to enhance public awareness and understanding of human rights through educational and promotional programmes, as well as constructive dialogue. The Commission deems it important for all people to understand the importance of human rights to democracy. To this end, the Commission has intensified collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to promote human rights among school communities through the joint ‘Human Rights Best Practices in Schools’ programme. The Commission will continue to impress upon the MOE the importance of inculcating human rights values in Malaysians as early as at the primary school level, as is being done in a number of countries. With increased awareness of human rights issues among Malaysians, the Commission sees itself evolving to play a bigger and more effective role as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). It has therefore advocated further amendments to its founding law, aimed at strengthening its effectiveness in discharging its functions as a Paris Principles-compliant NHRI. The Commission hopes that the Government will give due consideration to the proposed amendments, at the same time fulfilling its commitments under the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. These affirm the important role of NHRIs and the need for State Parties to establish and strengthen Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs. The Commission also renews its call for action to ensure that its Annual Report is debated in Parliament. As a NHRI created under an Act of Parliament, the Commission deems it important for legislators to take seriously the issues and recommendations in its Annual Report. The Commission reiterates its advocacy for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights, following the Government’s announcement in October 2012 of its intention to do so. This would serve as an interim measure towards the ultimate goal of full parliamentary debate on the Annual Report and all human rights issues that strengthen the democratic process. The year, saw the reappointment of four Commissioners, including myself, for a further threeyear term, and the appointment of three new Commissioners. In congratulating Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee, Prof Emeritus Dato’ Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Hj Ab Majid and Mr James Nayagam on their re-appointment, let me also thank them for their continued commitment and support in assisting the Commission to discharge its statutory functions. I am particularly grateful to Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee for her enormous contributions, both as the Vice-Chair of the Commission and Chair of the Annual Report Committee. I also wish to record my appreciation to former Commissioners Mr Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, Datuk Detta Samen and Ms Jannie Lasimbang for their dedication during their tenure. In warmly welcoming the three new members – Prof Dato’ Dr Aishah Bidin, Mr Francis Johen Adam, Mr Nordin Kasim Madating, who came on board on 3 June – I look forward to working closely with them over the next three years. 3