KEY ISSUES 6. LAW ENFORCEMENT Complaints about the police mainly comprise allegations of inaction in investigating reports, brutality during interrogations and abuse of remand procedures. The situation stems partly from the public perception that the system does not provide for a body to oversee the conduct of police personnel. The Commission therefore reiterated its call for an independent body to serve this function. It is also vital to note that an important section of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) has not been sufficiently well-utilised by the public to pursue their rights in connection with the alleged failure of the police to investigate reports. Under Section 107A of the CPC and subject to certain exemptions, a person making a report may request for, and shall be informed of, the status report of the investigation from the officer-in-charge of the police station. Invocation of this provision will ensure that due attention is given to police reports. The death of several individuals due to the discharge of firearms by the police featured prominently in the media during the year. The Commission is of the view that firearms should be used strictly in self-defence and that the Standard Operating Procedure in discharging firearms should be reexamined. The police should observe the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials 1979 and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials 1990 in discharging their duties. 7. RIGHTS OF VULNERABLE GROUPS (a) Women and Children The Commission applauded the move to withdraw the Government’s reservations to Articles 5(a), 7(b) and 16(2) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Articles 1, 13 and 15 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in July. It will continue to monitor the implementation of the two Conventions and to strive for the withdrawal of the remaining reservations to both treaties. The issue of abandoned babies has raised great concern in all segments of society. Women have a right to deliver babies regardless of negative public perception or the fear of laws criminalising the act of abandonment. The Commission is of the view that the rights of women and children must be upheld and will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies and NGOs on this matter. The Commission is in full support of the steps taken by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in gathering input for a Gender Equality law. It is the Commission’s hope that the proposed law will protect the rights of women. 15