Executive Summary Special Rapporteurs and delegations from NHRIs and other organisations. The Division also facilitated media interviews, issued press statements and responded to human rights issues of public concern. REPORT OF THE COMPLAINTS, MONITORING AND INQUIRIES GROUP As at end of year, the Complaints and Monitoring Division (CMD) received a total of 717 complaints of human rights violations, which was an increase of 93 complaints compared with the previous year. 448 (63%) of the complaints received were within the Commission’s jurisdiction. In response to numerous complaints received on custodial deaths and health conditions in prison, the CMD initiated thematic studies into the two areas of concern with the aim of bringing its findings and recommendations to the relevant agencies for remedial action. During the year, the CMD held three watching briefs for the Commission on the rights of the child and freedom of speech and expression and monitored four public gatherings with no untoward incidences, except for a complaint received from two civil society organisations regarding incidents during and after the anti-Lynas demonstration. During the year, the CMD also conducted visits in response to complaints or on the Commission’s initiative, pursuant to Section 4(2)(d) of the Human Rights Commission Act. The CMD, in responding to the training needs of its officers, facilitated two capacity building programmes with the Asia Pacific Forum and Commonwealth Secretariat respectively. Subsequent to the establishment of a National Task Force by the Government in August 2013 to review the findings and recommendations of the National Inquiry Report on the Land Rights of the Indigenous Peoples (NI), the Inquiries Division (ID) was tasked by the Commission to follow up closely with the relevant authorities on the progress of the Task Force. Pending the report from the Task Force, the ID deferred its follow up activities to enable the Task Force to deliberate and strategise on the implementation plan of the NI proposals and recommendations in the overall interest of the indigenous peoples. It is noted that the Government during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva on 24 October 2013 did not support the recommendations pertaining to the land rights of Indigenous Peoples. REPORT OF THE RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT GROUP The Research and Policy Development Division (RPDD) completed its thematic research entitled ‘Rights to Education of Children with Learning Disabilities’ and ‘Care Services for Older Persons and Support for Caregivers’. The Division also continued its primary work concerning ratification of the remaining core international treaties; monitoring State implementation of international treaties; removal of reservations and accession of optional protocols; as well areas such as the right to health and HIV/AIDS and anti-trafficking in persons. 6