Examples of NHRIs supporting other NHRIs and their leaders and staff Asia Pacific Forum Support for former Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Leila de Lima was Chair of the Philippines Commission from 2008 to 2010. During that time, the Commission undertook an investigation into extra-judicial killings in Davao City, Mindanao, while Rodrigo Duterte was mayor. As a result of its investigation into the Davao Death Squad, the Commission found “possible administrative and criminal liability of Mayor Duterte for his inaction in the face of evidence of numerous killings committed in Davao City and his toleration of the commission of these offenses”.61 Later, as a senator, Ms de Lima was a leading critic of then President Duterte’s war on drugs that involved the summary killings of thousands of people. In February 2017, on the initiative of President Duterte’s Administration, Ms de Lima was arrested on false drug charges and remanded in custody. She was held in custody for almost seven years, until November 2023, and cleared of all charges against her in 2024. During the period of Ms de Lima’s detention the Asia Pacific Forum issued media statements supporting her and calling for her release from detention.62 Individual NHRIs also issued statements in her support. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) Support for Palestine Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) on the killing of its North Gaza director and his family On 16 January 2025 Raafat Salha, the North Gaza director of the Palestine Independent Commission for Human Rights, and 13 members of his family, including his wife, Faten Shaqoura, and his children, Mohammed, Ahmad, Hala, and Saba, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza.63 SUHAKAM issued a public statement: “The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its deepest condolences and outrage over the Israeli military’s attack that resulted in the tragic death of the Director of the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) in Gaza, Raafat Salha and his family. We stand in solidarity with Mr. Salha and all human rights defenders working under the most dangerous and difficult circumstances to uphold the fundamental rights of their communities. “SUHAKAM echoes the concerns raised by the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) which is the ‘A’ status national human rights institution in Palestine and calls for an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the attack. We urge the international community to intensify efforts to ensure accountability for these heinous crimes and to hold those responsible to account in accordance with international law.”64 SUHAKAM had followed the Israeli attack on Gaza in 2023-25 closely and had issued many statements supporting ICHR and that ICHR’s calls for respect for international human rights 61. Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Resolution In re: Extra-Judicial Killings Attributed or Attributable to the so-called Davao Death Squad 28 June 2012. 62. https://www.asiapacificforum.net/news/apf-deeply-concerned-about-the-safety-of-former-chr-chairperson-leila-de-lima and https://www.asiapacificforum.net/news/leilade-lima-former-chr-chairperson-released-on-bail. 63. Palestine Independent Commission for Human Rights Statement of condolence and condemnation 16 January 2025 at https://www.ichr.ps/en/statements/11516.html. 64. SUHAKAM Media Statement No. 04-2025_SUHAKAM Condemns Attack on Palestinian Human Rights Defender 17 January 2025 at https://suhakam.org.my/2025/01/media-statement-no-04-2025_suhakam-condemns-attack-on-palestinian-human-rights-defender/. National action on international issues 37