Providing legal and policy advice to our members In 2023-24, we supported the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) in proposing amendments to its legal mandate based on SCA recommendations. This involved consultations with the Commission’s leadership and staff and preparing briefing materials on the required changes. We will continue providing technical assistance as they work towards the proposed legislative updates, which, if approved, will allow the institution to seek an upgrade to A-status. Following its A-status re-accreditation in March 2023, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of the Philippines sought our help in advocating for amendments to its legal mandate based on SCA recommendations. We provided advice on a draft ‘CHR Charter,’ consolidating its legal framework into a single statute. Building on earlier support, we reviewed various drafts and will continue assisting the CHR during external consultations on the reform process. In February 2024, we visited Bahrain at the invitation of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) to consult on an action plan addressing the SCA’s October 2023 recommendations. Following this, we provided an advisory opinion on proposed amendments to the NIHR’s legal mandate to improve compliance with the Paris Principles. This initiative raised national awareness about the significance of GANHRI accreditation and informed the APF’s briefing to the SCA on the NIHR’s national and regional operations. We supported the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC) by reviewing and advising on a proposed bill to amend its enabling legislation. This proposal was critical to the NHRC’s retention of its A-status accreditation in October 2023 and its upcoming accreditation review in 2025. We continued supporting the Ombudsman of Samoa in advocating for amendments to its enabling legislation to enhance compliance with the Paris Principles. In February 2024, we conducted a joint visit with representatives from the Pacific Community (SPC) to gather feedback from the Ombudsman’s Office and government members on the proposed amendments. We also provided technical assistance for documentation to support the proposal. We were also invited to assess proposed amendments to the legal mandate of the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic to support its advocacy with parliamentarians. We provided a comprehensive written analysis and participated in a virtual consultation with government, parliament, civil society, and international representatives to present our findings and brief participants on the Paris Principles. “ With the support of the APF we acquired B-status with GANHRI. We are now aiming to achieve A-status and the APF is assisting us in complying with the requirements the GANHRI SCA has identified, which includes amendment to certain legislation. Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, APF Annual Member Survey 2024 14 APF Annual Report 2023-24