STRONGER NHRIs BUILDING FAIRER COMMUNITIES The APF invests in building strong and effective NHRIs because, when they are able to deliver on their mandate, they protect and uphold the human rights of vulnerable people and marginalised communities. Drawing on a range of data sources, we have seen the capacity of APF members grow steadily in collective terms over the two-year period from 2015. It means that our efforts to support NHRIs through training, advice, networking and other services are making a meaningful difference, with direct benefits for people in countries across the Asia Pacific region. GROWING APF MEMBERSHIP Membership of the APF grew to 24 in 2016–17, with the NHRIs of Bahrain and Iraq admitted as associate members at the 21st APF Annual Meeting in October 2016. Both the National Institution for Human Rights of Bahrain (established in 2014) and the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (established in 2008) have been accredited by GANHRI with “B status”. The APF now includes 15 full members and nine associate members. Full membership is equivalent to the GANHRI accreditation of “A status” and associate membership is equivalent to the GANHRI accreditation of “B status”. WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR RIGHTS BODIES IN THE PACIFIC Over the past 12 months, community members, NGOs and government officials from different corners of the Pacific have highlighted the human rights challenges they face during consultations with the APF and the South Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team. The consultations in Tuvalu, Nauru, the Cook Islands and the Marshall Islands showed strong support for the establishment of NHRIs that could help address these challenges. A Bill to establish an NHRI in Tuvalu, which the APF helped to draft, is currently before that nation’s parliament. EQUIPPING NHRI STAFF WITH NEW SKILLS In 2016–17, we delivered 18 training activities benefiting APF members, with some APF members involved in up to nine training courses. A combined total of 276 NHRI representatives (59% female, 41% male) took part in our training programs. The courses covered a diverse range of topics including, among others, the human rights of women and girls, LGBTI people, workers in the garment sector, people with disabilities, human rights and climate change, and monitoring economic, social and cultural rights. ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 9