In March 2019, Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri, Chairperson of the Qatar National Human Rights Committee, was elected to the role of GANHRI Secretary. Dr. Carlos Alfonso Negret Mosquera, Ombudsman of Colombia, was elected GANHRI Chairperson. Both will serve three-year terms. FORGING CONNECTIONS WITH REGIONAL MECHANISMS The APF believes that NHRI participation in regional mechanisms – in South East Asia, as well as in South Asia, the Pacific and among Arab nations – has the potential to strengthen understanding among States about human rights principles and inform policy-making. While there is currently limited scope for NHRIs to engage with these mechanisms, the APF is exploring opportunities to initiate conversations with regional mechanisms in South East Asia and the Pacific on those human rights issues that are a priority for them. We have begun to draft guiding principles – in partnership with OHCHR and RRRT – on engaging with States in the Pacific Community regarding the establishment of NHRIs. The APF also works with OHCHR, UNDP and GANHRI to provide a regional program of support to five NHRIs in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. SUPPORTING THE INDEPENDENCE OF OUR MEMBERS Independence and integrity are central to NHRIs being effective and trusted human rights defenders. NHRIs in the region have faced a range of challenges in the past year, including budget cuts, reprisals and inaction from the government to their recommendations. The APF mobilises support for our members when they face reprisals, where they request it. We also provide organisational support they might require and, when we visit countries in the region, engage in dialogue with government officials on strengthening the NHRI. COLLABORATING WITH CIVIL SOCIETY The APF values its cooperation with civil society partners, at the national level, in regional forums and on the international stage. The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions held a dialogue with APF members at our annual meeting in September 2018. APF members also held a side event with civil society organisations at the UN Open Ended Working Group on Ageing. At the national level, APF members have forged close partnerships with civil society to broaden the reach, impact and scope of their work. In some cases, civil society groups are represented on NHRI advisory committees or support them to undertake projects with vulnerable groups. APF MEMBERS MAKE JOINT STATEMENT Eleven NHRIs from across the Asia Pacific expressed their support for the ongoing work of the UN Independent Expert tasked with addressing violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The joint statement to the Human Rights Council in June 2019 – delivered by Maiava Iulai Toma, Ombudsman of Samoa – praised the important work of the Independent Expert since the mandate was established in 2016. The statement was made by the ‘A status’ NHRIs of Australia, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Philippines, Samoa and Timor-Leste. It was supported by the NHRIs of Fiji and Tuvalu. ANNUAL REPORT 2018–19 17