The APF offers practical support to assist our members to develop their capacity and early indicators demonstrate they are making solid progress: >> From 19 survey responses this year, eight members said their capacity was ‘a lot higher’, eight said it was ‘a little higher’, two rated it as ‘about the same’ and one reported it to be ‘a lot lower’ (as a result of a 50 per cent funding cut to the NHRI). >> APF members continued to make strong progress in implementing recommendations from the APF’s capacity assessment program, run in partnership with UNDP and OHCHR. To date, 17 of the 22 APF members have undertaken a capacity assessment program.9 >> The applications of the eight APF members who sought international accreditation in 2015–16 revealed a track record of effective human rights advocacy, including for amendments to domestic laws to protect human rights and ratification of international human rights treaties. Supporting new Commissioners Depending on its founding legislation, a new leadership team will be appointed to an NHRI every three to five years. The APF offers newlyappointed Commissioners the opportunity to take part in a facilitated dialogue about their responsibilities and their collective goals to promote and protect human rights. These High Level Dialogues provide an opportunity for thinking, planning and renewing the NHRI’s relationship with the APF. During 2015–16, the APF hosted High Level Dialogues with the leadership teams of the: >> Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRESS IN SRI LANKA In June 2016, Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena joined a public march organised by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to launch its campaign to stamp out torture in places of detention, signalling the new government’s focus on human rights. A fresh leadership team was appointed to the Commission in 2015. Following the APF High Level Dialogue in January 2016, the Commission has requested the APF’s assistance with its strategic planning, a review of its complaint handling procedures, training for its complaint handling staff and training on conducting national inquiries. >> Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka >> Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (not currently an APF member) >> Fiji Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (not currently an APF member). 9 Timor Leste (2015), Samoa (2014), Indonesia (2014), Oman (2014), Bangladesh (2013), Nepal (2013), Philippines (2012), New Zealand (2012), Australia (2012), Sri Lanka (2012), Mongolia (2011), Afghanistan (2011), Palestine (2011), Jordan (2010), Thailand (2010), Maldives (2009) and Malaysia (2008). Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Annual Report 2015–16 > 11