Providing advice and expertise 8% %4 8% 44% 36% We know the profound difference that strong NHRIs make, especially for vulnerable people, in those countries where they operate. That is why one of our priorities is to assist governments and civil society organisations in the region to establish independent and effective NHRIs. In July 2019, the APF partnered with the Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) and the Melanesian Spearhead Group to conduct a scoping visit to Vanuatu. We also partnered with RRRT and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to conduct a scoping visit to Kiribati in September and October 2019. The scoping visits included consultations with a broad range of stakeholders: government ministers, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, community leaders and civil society organisations, including women’s groups. In both countries, there was strong support to establish an independent NHRI and the APF will provide advice and support when it is requested. Building on an APF-led scoping visit in 2017, the APF held consultations with members of the Taiwan’s Control Yuan (the Ombudsman equivalent) in February 2020 on the steps required to establish a Paris Principlescompliant institution. We also provided detailed advice on the changes to legislation and regulations that would be needed as part of such a transition. In addition to assistance provided in previous years, the APF prepared advice for the Government of Nauru on prospective legislation to establish an NHRI. very high high medium low very low no response ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY 2020: VALUE TO MEMBERS OF PROVIDING ADVICE AND EXPERTISE WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2019–20 • Conducted three scoping visits – to Vanuatu, Kiribati and Taiwan to hold broad consultations on establishing NHRIs • Held a regional workshop on the international accreditation process for 11 NHRIs and provided specific advice and support to others, with the NHRI of Afghanistan retaining ‘A status’ • Responded to 52 requests for legal advice from APF members, GANHRI, governments, international organisations and civil society ADVISING OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS The APF provides specialist legal and policy advice to its members and other stakeholders. In the past year, we responded to 52 requests for advice from our members and APF Forum Councillors, as well as governments, civil society organisations, international agencies and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). Half (26) of the requests related to NHRI accreditation, 13 per cent (seven) related to advice on NHRI establishment legislation, 12 per cent (six) related to APF governance and a quarter (13) were general policy advice. In April 2020, as countries across the region grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the APF published a guidance note stressing the importance of NHRIs continuing to perform their monitoring, reporting and advisory functions. 8 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS