is increasing. There are also a rising number of complaints related to abduction by the Maoists of farmers, human rights workers, journalists, political party workers, teachers and students. Investigation and Research Exercising the authority vested in it by law, the Commission has continued the work of investigating and researching cases related to human rights violation. The Commission has examined more than 20 such instances during the report period. Advocacy Programs The Commission has carried out various advocacy programs with the aim of drawing the attention of the belligerent parties to include human rights as the main agenda in the process of peaceful resolution of conflict. As the Commission has determined that building a culture of human rights would be at the top of its strategic plan, it has conducted different advocacy programs accordingly. Human Rights Training The Commission believes that without extensive dissemination of knowledge about human rights, the effort to build a culture of human rights would not be effective. It also understands that without building the capacity of NGOs involved in the field, it would hinder work related to human rights. The Commission has thus imparted training to representatives of regional-level NGOs active in all the five development regions. Trainings were related to human rights monitoring and documentation, and procedures on complaint management. From this, the Commission expects to receive significant help from organizations involved in the human rights sector to fulfill its responsibility in protecting and promoting human rights. Eighth Annual Meeting of Asia Pacific Forum Organized The eighth annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions was successfully held 14-16 February 2004 in Kathmandu. The performance of Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission in organizing the event was highly praised.The meeting also elected the Commission, by virtue of being the organizer of the convention, to the chair of the Asia Pacific Forum. Collaboration with International Organizations The Commission has been working together with international organizations involved in the field of protecting and promoting human rights. As the eighth member of the Asia Pacific Forum, the Commission has been playing a major role in its activities. His Majesty’s Government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights signed an agreement at the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights under which the Commission would receive technical knowledge, skill and other assistance.The Commission expects that this would help it in working together with international agencies. Moreover, besides enhancing the Commission’s capacity, it has also provided it international stature.