EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Law enforcement officials are often potential violators of human rights. As such, the EWG conducted training on human rights principles and standards for the police, prison officials and People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA). Participants were exposed to international human rights instruments and shown the relevance of these to their daily duties. REPORT OF THE COMPLAINTS AND INQUIRIES WORKING GROUP (CIWG) One of the Commission’s main functions is to inquire into complaints regarding infringement of human rights. Over the years, a varying pattern of cases has been seen in the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. In the Peninsula, the complaints are predominantly against law enforcement authorities, especially the police. In Sabah and Sarawak, complaints are typically about violation of indigenous land rights. In addition, Sabah has recorded a high number of complaints on the issue of land matters. Alongside these are complaints about infringement of the freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and freedom of expression, as well as arbitrary use of preventive detention laws. Hence, the Commission has taken the initiative to monitor public assemblies and the conduct of elections. REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WORKING GROUP (LRITWG) In discharging its function to recommend subscription and/or accession to international human rights instruments and to ensure national laws are consistent with applicable international instruments, the LRITWG has undertaken appropriate research and studies. During the year, the Commission focused on monitoring the implementation of the Government’s obligations under the three main conventions ratified by Malaysia – the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. With regard to the first two, the Commission urged the Government to consider withdrawing its reservations and further, to ratify the respective Optional Protocols. Malaysia has not subscribed to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. As such, the Commission is in the process of examining the Convention with a view to recommending its ratification. The Commission has also embarked on a study to examine issues affecting the rights of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender groups. 9