Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis of the National Human Rights Institutions in South Asia 10 1.3. Background on the Targeted NHRIs in South Asia In the South Asian region – composing the eight member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), there are currently six functioning NHRIs – in Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.54 These six NHRIs are the target NHRIs for the current Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis. A preliminary review of news items and NHRI reports shows that all targeted NHRIs have some form of engagement in the area of CCMA initiatives, as illustrated below. The subsequent analysis of Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis further confirmed their engagement in these areas, with more in-depth understanding of their scope and magnitude. Nepal Pakistan The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) of Pakistan addresses the intersection of human rights and climate change, focusing on adaptation and mitigation efforts. NCHR Pakistan works on integrating human rights into climate policies, monitoring the impacts of climate change on human rights, and advocating for the protection of at-risk populations, with some success. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal monitors the human rights implications of climate change and advocates for the rights of affected communities. NHRC Nepal integrates climate change considerations into its human rights monitoring to some extent, promotes equitable climate policies, and supports vulnerable groups in accessing justice and remedies. Bangladseh India The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India addresses human rights implications of climate change, including adaptation and mitigation measures. NHRC India actively monitors the implementation of climate policies, advocates for the inclusion of human rights considerations in climate action plans, and promotes the protection of rights for affected communities. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Bangladesh engages in advocating for human rights-based climate policies and monitoring their impacts on vulnerable populations. It has done some work on integrating human rights into climate change strategies, supports community resilience projects, and advocates for climate action respects the rights of marginalised groups. Sri Lanka Maldives The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) has some work done on the human rights dimensions of climate change impacts, particularly given the country’s vulnerability to sea-level rise. HRCM’s work on integrating human rights into climate change policies is still limited, yet advocates for the rights of communities displaced by climate impacts such as localised floods. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) engages in monitoring and advocating for human rights in the context of climate change to some extent. HRCSL focuses on ensuring that climate adaptation and mitigation measures respect human rights, promotes the inclusion of vulnerable communities in climate decision-making, and monitors the impact of climate policies on human rights, although more needs to be done in this area. Figure 2. NHRIs engagement with CCMA, including climate mobility issues (Map: Google Earth) Afghanistan had a functioning NHRI — Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) — from 2001 to 2021, which was dissolved by the Taliban government on 15 August 2021, following their takeover of Kabul. Bhutan is yet to establish a National Human Rights Institution. 54