The importance of independent NHRIs can no longer be ignored, particularly by human rights defenders. ASIAN NGO NETWORK ON NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS SUPPORTING MEMBERS FACING ATTACKS AND REPRISALS Independence and integrity are central to NHRIs being effective and trusted human rights defenders. The APF has been gravely concerned by the political attacks, reprisals and budget cuts that some of our members have faced for undertaking human rights work in accordance with their legal mandate. The APF mobilises support for our members when they face attacks, where they request it. We also provide organisational support they might require. This year, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines has come under sustained attacks for its work to investigate killings linked to the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs. In September 2017, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to defund the Commission, before overturning that decision following the public response. In February 2018, the APF hosted a retreat for the Commission’s leadership team to provide them with the opportunity to reflect and strategise. COLLABORATING WITH CIVIL SOCIETY The APF values its cooperation with civil society partners, at the national level, in regional forums and on the international stage. This year we deepened our connections with the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) and its secretariat, FORUM-ASIA, and continued our annual APF-ANNI dialogue at our annual meeting. At the national level, APF members have forged close partnerships with civil society that help broaden the reach, impact and scope of their work. For example, the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia has established an ex-officio board – comprising 19 civil society representatives from NGOs, academia, trade unions and the media – that helped develop a joint work program for 2018 with the Commission. ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 17