ABOUT
THE APF
The APF was established in 1996
with five members. In 2015–2016, our
membership included 22 national human
rights institutions (NHRIs), drawn from
all corners of the Asia Pacific.
Kazakhstan
Mongolia
South Korea
Afghanistan
Iraq
Palestine
Nepal
Jordan
Bahrain
Pakistan
Qatar
India
The APF provides practical support and advice
to our members to help them be as effective as
possible.
Bangladesh
Oman
Myanmar
Thailand
Philippines
Sri Lanka
Malaysia
Maldives
We also bring our members together to develop a
shared vision and shared strategies to tackle many
of the most serious and complex human rights
challenges in our region.
Indonesia
Timor Leste
Samoa
Fiji
Australia
Our approach is based on collaboration and
partnership.
New Zealand
We also provide advice and expertise to
governments and civil society in the region to
support the establishment of independent NHRIs
that meet the international standards set out in the
Paris Principles.
Full Members of the APF
Associate Members of the APF
New NHRIs (not currently accredited with the ICC)
Our vision
An Asia Pacific region
where everyone enjoys
human rights.
The depiction and use of boundaries, geographic names and related data shown on this map are not warranted to be error free nor do they
necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance by the APF
In addition, we develop partnerships at the
international and regional levels to promote and
protect human rights and to ensure that the
collective voice of our members is heard.
What are national human rights institutions?
NHRIs are established, by law or in the constitution, to promote and protect human rights in their respective
countries.
Importantly, NHRIs operate and function independently from government.
Strong and effective NHRIs make a genuine difference in the lives of individuals and communities by:
>> Monitoring the human rights situation in the country and the actions of the State
>> Providing advice to the State so that it can meet its international and domestic human rights commitments
>> Receiving, investigating and resolving complaints of human rights violations
>> Undertaking human rights education programs for all sections of the community
>> Engaging with the international human rights community to share information, raise pressing issues and
advocate for recommendations that can be made to their State.
Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions
Annual Report 2015–16 > 1