EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Several law reforms were initiated and introduced over the year. The Government acted on calls from various segments of society such as civil society groups, academia, individuals and the media, urging that respect be accorded to civil, political, economic and social rights. The outcome was partly reflected in the repeal or amendment of laws that contradict core human rights principles. The Commission is especially appreciative of the annulment of three Emergency Proclamations, the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960, the Banishment Act 1959 and the Restricted Residence Act 1933; as well as amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, the Police Act 1967 and the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. While the Commission welcomes the enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, it takes cognizance of outstanding issues with regard to some provisions that will need to be resolved. The Commission calls upon the Government to ensure that issues affecting the rights of vulnerable groups are given due attention and regard, in particular those related to children, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, sexual orientation and gender identity groups, migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees. Towards this end, the Commission calls upon the Government to ensure that enforcement of laws complies with human rights principles as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, and as advocated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the core human rights treaties to which Malaysia is party. The Commission, in an internal restructuring exercise, has created three distinctive groups to ensure full realisation of its mandate as set out in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999: • The Education and Promotion; Public Relations; and Publication Divisions are now under the Education and Public Relations Group; • The Law Reform and International Treaties Working Group; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Working Group; and International Issues and Cooperation Committee make up the Research and Policy Development Group; and • The Complaints and Inquiry Divisions come under the Complaints, Monitoring and Inquiries Group. 7