Acknowledgement Threats to human rights defenders and civic freedoms are increasing across the Asia Pacific region. The space for use National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to raise concerns about human rights is shrinking. Human rights defenders face criminalisation when engaging in a public protest or civil disobedience. Over the years, NHRIs have strengthened their role and actions to encourage governments and other actors to promote and protect human rights. However, NHRIs still face multiple challenges in fulfilling their mandates. The lack of full cooperation or compliance by governments or other public authorities hinders NHRIs’ ability to monitor and remedy human rights violations effectively. We hope this resource will guide NHRIs in navigating the complex social, political, and legal landscape of human rights defenders’ protection. This practical guide was made possible by the generous support and funding from the European Union through the EU NHRI Phase 3 Project. The APF Secretariat thanks Fia Hamid-Walker, Human Rights Defenders Project Officer, for her leadership and commitment to this project. We are incredibly thankful to Jem Stevens, who developed and prepared this practical guide. Her expertise and support have greatly enriched this work. We would also like to acknowledge Forum-Asia for providing their insights and expertise to ensure we consider the perspectives of human rights defenders in our region. 4 Engaging with Regional and International Actors Toolkit