KEY ISSUES 12. RATIFICATION OF CORE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS Malaysia has acceded to three international human rights conventions to date, albeit with reservations. It is noted, however, that there has not been any real move to ratify or accede to the other six international instruments. The Commission will continue to press the Government to ratify these, to demonstrate commitment toward eradicating poverty, protecting socio-economic rights, enhancing human dignity and promoting the civil and political rights of citizens. The Government should also accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court without delay, to end impunity for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. Accession would be in line with Malaysia’s participation in the HRC. Upon accession, progressive work can be undertaken to bring domestic legislation into compliance with the requirements of the Rome Statute. 13. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLAN (NHRAP) The Commission is pleased with the positive steps taken by the Government to develop a NHRAP to improve the promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission will play a significant role in drafting the NHRAP, as well as in monitoring its implementation. It is noted that the features of an effective NHRAP are transparent and participatory planning, comprehensiveness of the baseline human rights study underlying the plan, realistic priorities and action-oriented planning, clear success criteria and strong participatory mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation and adequate commitment of resources. The Commission appreciates the Government’s initiative in engaging it at the preparatory stage and hopes that this relationship will be strengthened through regular consultations and engagements. The Commission will work closely with the focal agency for the NHRAP, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department. The Commission hopes that the Government will consider incorporating the recommendations derived from the UPR and treaty bodies’ sessions on Malaysia into the NHRAP. 14. PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON THE COMMISSION’S ANNUAL REPORT Since its establishment, the Commission has been submitting its Annual Report to Parliament at the first sitting for the year, as required by Section 21(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999. Unfortunately, none of the Reports has ever been debated. The Commission urges Members of Parliament to pick up key human rights issues from the Annual Report and give full support to the recommendations at every opportunity during debate. 21