Part II The law: International human rights law and disability Section II Other international and regional human rights instruments and disability Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF)199 has a long history of involvement in disability issues. It was highly active before and during the negotiations that led to the adoption of the UN CRPD. It established an early Working Group and, even before the negotiations were opened up on drafting a convention, convened a meeting in New Delhi in 2002 to discuss the proposed convention. The meeting proposed many useful recommendations, including some on the role of NHRIs.200 The APF regularly updated its members on progress to draft the Convention and, in 2007, published a Disability Issues Paper, which placed a heavy emphasis on the roles of NHRIs with respect to promoting, protecting and monitoring rights in the UN CRPD.201 Promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities is one of the thematic priorities in the APF’s 2015–2020 Strategic Plan.202 In 2015, the APF published a comprehensive manual on National Human Rights Institutions – their establishment, roles and functions and working methods – which is a valuable reference tool for NHRIs across the globe.203 It includes a very useful article-by-article analysis of what to look for in monitoring activities; for example, with respect to inclusive education or employment. Interactive displays on the streets of Male’ were used by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives to build public awareness of its national inquiry into accessible education for children with disabilities. Photo by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives 199 More information on the APF is available at www.asiapacificforum.net. 200 Available at www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/apf-7-discussion-paper-proposed-un-convention-disability. 201 Available at www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/apf-12-conference-paper-disability-rights/. 202 Available at www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/apf-strategic-plan-2015-2020. 203 Available at www.asiapacificforum.net/resources/manual-on-nhris. Chapter 6: Regional human rights instruments and disability | 81