Annual Report 2011–2012 The report also proposed some concrete ‘next steps’ that the Government could take to advance the NHRI establishment process, with assistance from the APF, OHCHR and PIFS. Myanmar The APF visited Myanmar from 8–11 April 2012 to meet the Chairperson and Commission members of Myanmar’s newly established NHRI to discuss possible areas of support to develop and strengthen the work of the organisation. In discussions with the Chairperson and members of the NHRI, the APF undertook to: • provide technical advice on drafting the Commission’s establishing legislation, to promote compliance with the international standards set out in the Paris Principles • coordinate a high-level dialogue involving Commission members in July 2012 • provide assistance with the Commission’s strategic planning process, either later this year or in early 2013, and • provide training for Commission staff, as more are appointed. The NHRI was established by presidential decree in September 2011, as part of reforms taking place in the country. Previously, there had been a governmental human rights committee under the Minister for Home Affairs. The NHRI has 15 members. Its Chairperson, U Win Mra, was formerly the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the UN, as was the Deputy Chairperson. Other members are former senior government officials and academics. The Commission currently has 22 staff. The Commission plans to increase staff numbers to 167 over the next three years. During this first visit the APF also met with the Deputy Chairman of the National League for Democracy and representatives of the international community. Soon after the initial visit, on 28–29 April 2012, the APF’s Legal Counsel travelled to Yangon to take part in discussions on the development of legislation to formalise the NHRI through an Act of Parliament. The APF met with the Chairperson and members of the Commission to discuss all aspects of the founding legislation of a national institution. The two-day meeting provided an opportunity to consider and compare founding legislation from NHRIs in the ASEAN region, the broader Asia Pacific region and other parts of the world, with a focus on highlighting good practice in relation to the structure and functions of a national institution. The discussions also addressed the international standards relating to the establishment and functioning of NHRIs, the Paris Principles, and the General Observations of the ICC, which seek to interpret and clarify the Paris Principles. Both the Paris Principles and General Observations are used to accredit NHRIs for participation in the UN human rights mechanisms. Inle Lake, Myanmar. Photograph Ben Lee. 3. Promote compliance with the Paris Principles | 39