Executive Summary Inquiry Panel called 31 witnesses, comprising 14 members of the public and 17 representatives of related government agencies; 42 exhibits were tendered. Not long after the release of the report on the 9 July 2011 public assembly, another Panel of Inquiry comprising Datuk Dr Khaw Lake Tee as Chairperson, and Commissioners Prof Dato’ Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Hj Ab Majid and Mr Detta Samen assisting, was set up to investigate allegations of human rights infringements during and after the public assembly of 28 April 2012. The Inquiry Panel expects to present its report in early 2013. REPORT OF THE RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT GROUP In discharging its functions to recommend Malaysia’s accession to international human rights instruments and to ensure national laws are consistent with applicable international instruments, the Research Division undertook studies to obtain views on related aspects. It monitored implementation of the Government’s obligations under the three main conventions ratified – the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the CRC and the CRPD. The Commission has prepared Independent Reports on CEDAW and CRC for submission to the UN and will continue to engage with the Government to accede to the remaining six international human rights treaties. The Commission, with assistance from the Bar Council, held a watching brief in three court cases. It further submitted recommendations to the Government to amend its founding Act to enable visits to places of detention without prior notice. The Policy Development Division engaged the Government and civil society organisations through Roundtable Discussions on Business and Human Rights, Human Rights and Islam, the Right to Affordable Housing, and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. A follow-up colloquium on ‘Domestic Application of International Human Rights Norms’ was organised with the Judiciary in September. To enhance working relations, meetings were arranged with government agencies and NGOs. The International Coordination Division assisted the Commission in its work by participating in activities and meetings organised by the UN International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights; the Human Rights Council; and the Commonwealth Forum of NHRIs. The Commission pursued activities pertinent to the advancement of regional human rights through the Southeast Asia NHRIs Forum, ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs. On the domestic front, the Commission conducted a series of consultations with stakeholders including Government agencies and civil society organisations to assess the implementation of Malaysia’s commitments under the first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle, as well as to identify the challenges faced and areas that can be improved for the second cycle, which will take place from October-November 2013 at the 17th session of the UPR. The Commission, as a member of the Coordinating Committee for the Development of the National Human Rights 9