Providing advice and support Outcome 1: More NHRIs in the Asia Pacific that comply with the Paris Principles and can exercise their mandate in safety. A fundamental goal of the APF is to support the establishment of independent NHRIs in the region and strengthen the mandates of those that already exist. We provide advice to governments, NHRIs, and CSOs on the unique status of NHRIs, their roles, functions, relationships with government, parliament, and civil society, and the international accreditation process. We also support NHRIs facing threats, ensuring they can continue exercising their mandates without fear of reprisals. Supporting the establishment of NHRIs in the Asia Pacific We play a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of independent and effective NHRIs across the Asia Pacific region. We do this by providing comprehensive legal and policy guidance to governments and parliaments to support the establishment of strong, independent NHRIs that comply with the Paris Principles, while also offering technical expertise on organisational structures, operational procedures, and resource management to ensure they function efficiently and effectively. In 2023-24, we supported efforts to develop and strengthen NHRI legislation in line with the Paris Principles in seven (7) countries: Bahrain, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, the Philippines, and Samoa. This included assisting the Cook Islands in exploring amendments to the Ombudsman’s mandate to become an NHRI. We will continue to support this process as it progresses over the next year. Assisting APF members with accreditation APF members, along with NHRIs from the other three regions of the world, undergo a peer-based review process coordinated by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), through its Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA). The accreditation process assesses compliance with the Paris Principles, the international minimum standards required by NHRIs to be independent, credible and effective. We support our members through the accreditation process by assisting with application preparation, interview readiness, and addressing the SCA’s recommendations. APF Annual Report 2023-24 11