Belgrade principles, NHRIs should be consulted by parliaments on the content and applicability of a proposed new law to ensure that human rights norms and principles are correctly reflected therein. Additionally, parliaments should involve NHRIs in the legislative process.5 In line with the Human Rights-Based Approach, see Chapter 4, such processes should be inclusive and enable the participation by and input from affected population groups, including the most vulnerable, marginalized and excluded. In its feedback to parliament and government, a NHRI should not only indicate problematic provisions but also propose and advocate for the necessary changes. 2. NHRIs are supposed to examine draft legislation in addition to enacted laws to ensure adherence to human rights provisions, be it in national or international human rights instruments. Ideally, there should be systems in place to ensure that legislation is never passed by parliament without having been subject to scrutiny by the NHRI. If such systems are not in place, the NHRI should address government to ensure that all bills are transmitted to the NHRI for comments before or at the latest simultaneously with presentation to parliament. The NHRI should also enter into dialogue with parliament to ensure systematic notification of private member’s bills and that parliament receives input from the NHRI before voting on a bill. 5 Belgrade Principles, International Expert Seminar, Belgrade, 22-23 February 2012. Report of the Secretary General to the General Assembly (A/ HRC/20/9), Annex 17 principles 27 and 28. 40 HUMAN RIGHTS ­COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA INFLUENCING LEGISLATION The Human Rights C ­ ommission of Malaysia was involved in ­consultations for the development of a national policy on reproductive and social health. Not all the ­Commission’s recommendations were accepted but its involvement helped to strengthen the link between reproductive issues and human rights. The Commission identified several matters as issues of concern to be reflected in the population ­policy. These included the stigma around unwed motherhood leading to unsafe abortions by adolescents and abandonment of babies. The Commission subsequently provided recommendations to the Government on how these problems could be effectively addressed in a way that respects human rights. When the NHRI subjects bills and legislation to scrutiny, reproductive rights should be among the matters that are routinely considered. NHRIs may decide to use checklists or put other scrutiny systems in place to secure the necessary focus on reproductive rights.