12 ... ... ... ... .. T E N Y E A R S O F T H E C O M M I S S I O N I N R E T RO S P E C T 2.7 Of great value to the reach and strength of the Commission has been the range of functions assigned to it under Section 12 of the Act. This broad mandate, too, has confirmed the reputation of the Commission as a National Institution working in accordance with the "Paris Principles." Of particular consequence to the Commission has been the capacity conferred on it, under Section 12(b) of the Act, to intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court with the approval of such court, a provision that has been invoked repeatedly over the years. Of special importance, too, has been the provision contained in Section 18(2) of Chapter IV of the Act relating to Procedure, which enables the Commission, upon the completion of an inquiry held under this Act, to "approach the Supreme Court or the High Court concerned for such directions, orders or writs as that court may deem necessary." That provision, too, has been used to good effect over the years and has helped to define the unique character and capabilities of the Commission. 2.8 Despite these evident strengths, the past decade has also made clear both to the Commission and perceptive observers of its work - the weaknesses and lacunae of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It is these weaknesses that the Commission has sought to have rectified, preferably along the lines of the recommendations that it has already made for the amendment of its Statute, which are recounted in detail in earlier annual reports. Principal among these are: ● The definition of armed forces (section 2.1): The Commission has proposed that the definition should include only the "naval, military and air force" and exclude the para-military forces. ● The definition of "International Covenants" (section 2.1(f)): The Commission has proposed that the definition should include not only the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, but also "any other Covenant or Convention which has been, or may hereafter be, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations." ● The procedures to be followed "with respect to the armed forces" (section 19(1) and 19(2) in particular) which have, in the Commission's view, resulted in instances of a lack of accountability and, indeed, of opacity in dealing with allegations of human rights violations. N AT I O N A L H U M A N R I G H T S C O M M I S S I O N