agreed to set up a Ministerial Task Force to address the issue of children in detention centres in Malaysia. The Task Force is chaired by Senator Datuk Paul Low and is comprised of representatives from relevant Government agencies including the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development, and the Immigration Department. CHAPTER 1 On 26 August, the Task Force had its first meeting where the Commission reiterated its recommendations on ATD and suggested an ATD model that can be referred to by the Government. The Commission observed that the Government espouses the principle of the best interest of children and that detention of UASC contradicts this principle. On that basis the Commission applauds the commitment of all the agencies that were present at the meeting to implement ATD. Toward achieving that, agencies were requested to look into several matters including but not limited to (i) identifying potential NGO shelters to be registered as ATD shelters; (ii) developing standard operating procedures to transfer UASC from immigration detention centres to registered NGO shelters for case management; and (iii) addressing gaps in existing legal and policy frameworks in operationalising ATD. Despite the hurdles and slow progress in the implementation of ATD, the Commission believes that it is pertinent to ensure that the Government continues to address the issue of children in immigration detention centres. The Commission devotes its support to the Government’s efforts in achieving ATD and to end immigration detention on children. It is the Commission’s hope that ATD for UASC will be piloted in early 2017 and fully implemented for all children in immigration detention in years to come. 7. THE WAY FORWARD In 2017, the Commission will continue its inquiries into complaints that have yet to be resolved during the year under review. While the expectation of the public towards the Commission is growing, as evidenced by the increased number of complaints, the Commission’s power and resources are limited. However, with its personnel’s passion and belief in human rights, the support of the people and the Government, as well as the cooperation of CSOs, the Commission believes that the rights of everyone in Malaysia will remain safeguarded. SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 73 suhakam 2new.indd 73 3/23/17 5:54 PM