Contributing at the national, regional & international level 8% %4 8% 44% 36% NHRIs make a unique and highly valued contribution to the international human rights system. The independent information and analysis they provide ensures that pressing human rights issues can be rigorously debated by UN panels and targeted recommendations can be made to States. very high high medium low very low no response ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY 2020: VALUE TO MEMBERS OF CONTRIBUTING AT THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ‘A status’ NHRIs have been able to contribute to the work of the Human Rights Council and treaty monitoring bodies in Geneva for many years. After strong advocacy in recent years, the APF has helped secure equivalent participation rights for NHRIs in some General Assembly mechanisms in New York. Despite COVID-19 restrictions and the cancellation of certain UN meetings, our members continued to value the support provided by APF, especially when engaging GANHRI and UN forums such as the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing. During this reporting period, the APF made the strategic decision to refocus its efforts towards regional and national-level engagement. On the international level, we will continue to advocate with and on behalf of our members within GANHRI. However, after playing a leadership role for the past ten years in campaigning for NHRI participation rights at CSW, the APF will encourage GANHRI to coordinate future advocacy efforts. WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2019–20 • Strengthened our engagement across Asia Pacific sub-regions, including through our sub-regional office in West Asia • Engaged with parliamentarians and other national stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen and support NHRIs • Continued our role to advocate the needs and views of APF members at the international level, primarily through GANHRI WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/USER/ASIAPACIFICFORUM STRENGTHENING SUPPORT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL As independent bodies tasked with protecting and promoting human rights, NHRIs must work with their government and the parliament. However, NHRIs in the region can face challenges to their work and independence, including budget cuts, delayed Commissioner appointments, reprisals and government inaction on NHRI recommendations. At the country level, the APF provides support for our members and meets with government officials during country visits to discuss ways to strengthen and support NHRIs. In 2019–20 the APF engaged with parliamentary and government representatives during scoping visits to Vanuatu, Kiribati and Taiwan, and capacity assessment programs in Fiji and Timor-Leste. In a positive development, the Mongolian Parliament adopted the revised Law on the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia in January 2020 which contains a range of progressive provisions. 16 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS