Chapter 3 - Report of the Research and Policy Development Group The workshop was a timely event, given the upcoming review of the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the AICHR and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, scheduled to take place in 2014 and 2015 respectively. There has been much criticism of AICHR especially in relation to its ToR. Many stakeholders feel that it lacks the mandate to receive complaints and investigate human rights violations. The review will allow stakeholders to propose amendments to strengthen the AICHR mandate and ToR. Article 9.6 of the current ToR provides for an initial review five years after it takes effect. It also states: ‘This review and subsequent reviews shall be undertaken by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, with a view to further enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights within ASEAN.’ As such, the Commission calls on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia to consult all stakeholders and take their views into account prior to making its submission to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting on review of the ToR. In line with the aspiration for an ASEAN Community by 2015, which strives to create a peoplecentred ASEAN, it is necessary to ensure that broad and meaningful consultation is at the core of every policy-making process within member-states. The Government of Malaysia, in anticipation of ASEAN Chairmanship in 2015, should play a more proactive role in upholding human rights in the region. Malaysia, which is highly regarded by its neighbours for its steady economic development and growth, should also be seen as a leading nation in the realm of human rights promotion and protection. 9. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLAN (NHRAP) There has been little progress in developing the NHRAP since 2010. During the year, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) – the focal agency for developing the NHRAP – provided research grants to five universities to conduct a study on domestic laws relating to human rights. The University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin have conducted the research as an initial step in the development process. The BHEUU convened the first meeting of the NHRAP Steering Committee in December. Chaired by YB Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister Department, it comprises representatives of government agencies, the Commission and academia. While the Commission welcomes the Government’s ambitious proposal to address a wide range of human rights issues, it stresses the need for the NHRAP to be a practical and achievable plan. 107