Providing advice and expertise 3 9 We know the profound difference that strong NHRIs have made, especially for vulnerable people, in those countries where they operate. In the past 12 months, we held discussions with officials from the Government of Nauru on drafting legislation to establish an NHRI that would meet the international minimum standards set out in the Paris Principles. We also conducted scoping visits in July 2017 to meet with elected officials, government agencies, civil society representatives and other stakeholders in: • The Federated States of Micronesia (in partnership with RRRT). • Taiwan (in partnership with FORUM-ASIA). In addition, the APF provided substantial legal advice to the NHRIs of Pakistan and Fiji about the steps they 4 7 That is why one of our priorities is to assist governments and civil society organisations in the region to establish independent and effective NHRIs. In 2016–17, the APF and the Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT) conducted scoping visits to Tuvalu, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and the Cook Islands. In each country, there was strong support to establish an NHRI that could protect the rights of individuals and address community-wide challenges. Progress to establish an NHRI in Tuvalu was especially swift, with the APF helping prepare legislation that was presented to the Parliament in early 2017. The Bill was passed in October 2017, making Tuvalu the smallest country by population to establish an NHRI. 1 very high high medium low very low no response ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY 2018: VALUE TO MEMBERS OF PROVIDING ADVICE AND EXPERTISE WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2017–18 • Welcomed the establishment of an NHRI in Tuvalu, following support and advice from the APF • Provided support to two APF members seeking international reaccreditation, with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka upgraded to ‘A status’ • Responded to more than 40 requests for legal advice from APF members, governments, international organisations and civil society groups could take, as well as the legislative changes their governments should enact, to bring their NHRIs into compliance with the Paris Principles. SRI LANKA’S NHRI RECEIVES ACCREDITATION BOOST Two APF members – the NHRIs of India and Sri Lanka – sought reaccreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) during the year, with the APF providing detailed advice and support to both NHRIs. Reaccreditation assesses the extent to which an NHRI complies with the Paris Principles, both in its legislation and in its practice. The National Human Rights Commission of India was reaccredited with ‘A status’ following the November 2017 session of GANHRI’s Subcommittee on Accreditation, while the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka was upgraded to ‘A status’ following the March 2018 review. ‘A status’ accreditation allows NHRIs to independently participate in meetings of the UN Human Rights Council, its treaty bodies and other forums. The decision also means that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is now a full member of the APF. 8 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS