Chapter 3 - Report of the Research and Policy Development Group 5. JUDICIAL COLLOQUIUM ON ‘DOMESTIC APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS NORMS’ The Commission organised the colloquium on 22 and 23 September for members of the Judiciary, comprising 77 judges from the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court. The Chief Justice of Malaysia, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of Malaya and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak attended the event. Based on the encouraging response from members of the Judiciary and the legal fraternity to the judicial colloquium held in 2009, and the need for continuity, the 2012 colloquium was held as a follow-up to: (i) Ensure that members of the Judiciary acquire a basic working knowledge of the origin, purpose and scope of international human rights law and to familiarise judges with the application of international human rights law at the domestic level; (ii) Improve understanding of various human rights instruments and relevant case laws at national level; and (iii) Seek further collaboration with the Judiciary on the Commission’s wish to be involved as amicus curiae or to hold a watching brief in cases involving human rights violations. The colloquium consisted of three main sessions. The first was a message of welcome by the Chairman of the Commission, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, followed by the Keynote Address by the Honourable Justice JS Verma, former Chief Justice of India and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of India. The second session covered presentations by Professor Brian Burdekin AO, the former Human Rights Commissioner of Australia and former Special Advisor on National Institutions to the High Commissioner for Human Rights; the Honourable Justice JS Verma; Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi; and Dato’ Ranita Hussein. The third session was a RTD for participants to share their views in discussing the topics highlighted by the speakers. Tan Sri Hasmy Agam moderated the session, with the panellists including the Commission’s Vice-Chairman, Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee; Court of Appeal Judge, YA Dato’ Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof; and Mr Andrew Khoo. 104