Annual Report 2013-14 Eighteenth Annual Meeting and Biennial Conference of APF 2.65 The Eighteenth Annual Meeting and Biennial Conference of Asia Pacific Forum (APF) was organized in Doha, Qatar from 1 to 3 October 2013. It was attended by a three member delegation from NHRC including Justice Shri K. G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson and Shri S. C. Sinha, Member. The Forum Councillors approved the nomination of NHRC, India to host the Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the APF in New Delhi in 2014. 2.66 The Biennial Conference focused on the opportunities and challenges involved in charting a peaceful course to democracy. The participants examined a range of issues, including “role of women in political and democratic reform”, “role of NHRIs in working with police and security forces”, and “role of NHRIs in democracy and good governance”. Visit of Delegates from Canada 2.67 Mr. Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights in Canada along with Mr. Jim Nickel, Deputy High Commissioner of Canada and Mr. Paul Hong, Senior Policy Advisor visited NHRC on 19 November 2013. Malaysian Human Rights Commission Delegation Visits NHRC 2.68 A two member delegation from the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) visited the NHRC from 16 to 20 December 2013 as part of a study programme. NHRC Chairperson Visits Jakarta to Participate in Global Appeal against Leprosy 2.69 Chairperson, NHRC visited Jakarta, Indonesia to participate in the Launch Ceremony of the 2014 Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against People Affected by Leprosy held on 27 January 2014. The Global Appeal had the backing of the National Human Rights Institutions from 39 countries and regions. Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation, since 2006 has led these appeals with the aim of raising public awareness and drawing in the support of world leaders, representatives of people affected by leprosy, and organizations concerned with human rights. Chairperson of NHRC, India also addressed the gathering present of the occasion. UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Visits NHRC 2.70 Prof. Heiner Bielefeldt, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief visited NHRC on 20 February 2014. 18 | NHRC