For the second year in a row, the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has earned some kind words from leading human rights NGO Suaram.

In its annual Human Rights Report released yesterday, Suaram said that Suhakam has lived up to the "A-status" awarded by Geneva-based United Nations body, the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, four years ago.

NONE "In 2012, Suhakam recorded its firm stand on several main issues namely, the inquiry on Bersih 3.0, the abolition of death penalty for drug offences, to encourage judges in taking in account of human rights in decision making, a firm stand on freedom of association and a probe into the incidents at SK Bihai, Kelantan.

"We hope the national human rights commission will go further in being more proactive in human rights cases and even drafting alternative human rights-based bills for the people," says the report.

Suhakam has often been heavily criticised for their inability to influence government policy or even compel the federal government to have the commission's annual report debated in Parliament.

NGOs have also boycotted Suhakam on several occasions, last being in 2009.

Suhakam has improved

NONE When contacted for comments, Suaram executive director E Nalini said her organisation recognised that Suhakam has improved over the years and has contributed to the development of human rights awareness in Malaysia.

"We are engaging them in many issues, such as freedom of assembly and expression, death in custody, among others," she said.

Nalini ( right ) said Suaram believes in criticising as well as giving encouragement to groups that work on human rights issues, and said it hopes to see Suhakam do better in the future.

Download Suaram's 2012 Human Rights Report here .