a prioritised task for SUHAKAM in efforts to promote and increase respect for human rights in Malaysia. I also hope that the Parliamentary Caucus will look into addressing the government’s continued reluctance to accede to the remaining international human rights treaties. As a country that routinely emphasises the respect of human rights in our foreign policy, it is important that Malaysia demonstrate our willingness to judge and be judged by universal standards. The justification of the government for many years, which is that the government will continue to discuss and study the feasibility of accession lacks evidence of any notable progress, even on the outcome or findings of the studies which the Attorney General’s Chambers says it is conducting. SUHAKAM notes that throughout the government’s responses on the issue of acceding to international treaties, it has always taken the view that conformity between national laws and international treaties must exist prior to ratification. SUHAKAM believes that this view is itself fallacious as the government has undeniably undertaken and implemented many positive changes and initiatives on issues concerning elements embraced and expounded in these international treaties such as the ‘progressive realisation’ of many rights of its citizens. SUHAKAM had to take the decision to conduct a public inquiry into the alleged enforced disappearances of individuals as a result of an avalanche of complaints and in the light of public dissatisfaction over the inadequate action of the police, and how in this day and age people have disappeared without a trace. This inquiry is continuing. I am not unaware of the diminishing confidence of the public towards the police in this regard. SUHAKAM has continued to support the government’s efforts to strengthen action against trafficking in persons. However, SUHAKAM is perplexed at the decision taken by the US Department of State to upgrade Malaysia to Tier 2 on its Trafficking in Persons Report despite concluding in 2017 that “the Government of Malaysia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking” and at the same time noting that “the government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period”. Questions remain about Wang Kelian; the police have not been able to bring the perpetrators to justice and alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in trafficking is pervasive. While we have laws to criminalise modern day slavery, SUHAKAM has no choice but to question the effectiveness of the implementation of these laws because trafficking in persons continues. x S UH A KA M A N N UA L R E P O R T 2 0 1 7