delays in implementation of some projects. Despite the rise in the number of complaint cases, the reduced human resources made it difficult to respond immediately to pending human rights issues through systematic and focused ex officio investigations. Consequently, there was a need for long-term measures to resolve issues like the selection of tasks regarding special investigations such as public opinion surveys and research on human rights conditions and the issue of budget allocation. It was also necessary to seek more efficient and effective ways for a closer collaborative system between policy and investigation units. Moreover, the activities of the "Guardian of the Rights of the Elderly" regrettably did not give rise to a policy recommendation, while the lack of sufficient special investigations on recent social issues, such as the age discrimination posed by forced honorary retirement prompted the need for revitalizing such activities. There were also increased demands to expand participation of those from government ministries and businesses in forums on business and human rights, whilst the projects aimed at protecting and improving human rights of impoverished groups progressed rather slowly. Despite the rise in demands for human rights protection in accordance with the Mental Health Act, there were limitations on the ability to provide systematic human rights education due to the absence of the Commission's own education facilities and the lack of human and financial resources. There was also a lack of institutional support as legislation on human rights education has not yet been enacted. Moreover, the role of the Commission was limited in areas such as the rights of students and controversies over teachers' rights, which had started to become an issue at schools and spread to become a social controversy, and the issue of enacting the Human Rights Ordinance for students. Meanwhile, the Commission operated expert committees on various fields to research and review deliberations made by the Standing Commissioners Committee and sub-committees, and an advisory committee aimed at providing advice on what is necessary to ensure efficient execution of activities of the Commission. However, there 16 Part I. Introduction