Impact and NHRI actions on HRD protection As a direct result of their participation in the APF’s HRD programs, several NHRIs have taken concrete steps to enhance HRD protection within their jurisdictions: • Fiji established a dedicated unit on HRDs. • Palestine modified its action plan to incorporate HRD protection initiatives. • Sri Lanka developed and released guidelines on HRD protection. • Iraq established an internal working group on HRDs, conducted training, and enhanced documentation of HRD rights violations. • The Maldives integrated the HRD toolkit into its national advocacy efforts. Small Grant Initiative To consolidate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the online learning programme, the APF launched a small grant initiative to support NHRIs in enhancing their national data monitoring and reporting. The initiative focuses on innovative approaches using R2DRT and aims to improve information and monitoring systems for HRDs, document their contributions and challenges, and enhance NHRI dialogue with governments and stakeholders on these issues. Four NHRIs—Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan—developed project proposals to implement national programs using R2DRT and broader HRD protection initiatives. Two proposals from Nepal and the Maldives are currently being implemented. While the proposals from Bangladesh and Pakistan could not proceed due to challenges beyond their control, they demonstrate increased capacity and commitment to HRD protection. The NHRIs of the Maldives and Nepal received funding under this initiative to implement national-level projects. Below is a summary of the projects and their outcomes. APF Human Rights Defenders Working Group: Annual Report 2024-25 19