PROVIDING ADVICE AND EXPERTISE Value to members of providing advice and expertise 3 4 5 10 very high high medium low very low no response Source: APF Member Survey 2016 What we achieved >> Supported eight APF members – more than a third of our total membership – to seek international accreditation during the year, which supports their participation in the work of the UN. >> Provided high-quality legal and policy advice to help strengthen our members and assist governments, UN agencies and civil society groups in the region. A fundamental goal of the APF is to assist our members by providing timely advice and expertise on the legal and policy matters they raise with us. We also promote the establishment of independent NHRIs in the region and provide advice to governments and civil society on the unique status of NHRIs; their roles and functions; their relationship with government, parliament and civil society; and the international accreditation process. Membership and accreditation Membership of the APF remained constant at 22 NHRIs in 2015–16, with 14 full members and eight associate members. More than a third (eight) of APF members sought accreditation or reaccreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)5 during the year. The following decisions were taken by the GANHRI’s SubCommittee on Accreditation in respect to our members: >> Malaysia, Palestine, Qatar, New Zealand and Korea were re-accredited with ‘A status’6 >> Myanmar was accredited with ‘B status’ >> Thailand was downgraded to ‘B status’7 >> Samoa was accredited with ‘A status’.8 8 5 This body was previously known as the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. The new name was adopted in March 2016. 6 The decisions in relation to the New Zealand and Korea will take effect from August 2016. 7 The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand was downgraded in 2015 based on concerns about the selection process for Commissioners and a failure to engage on urgent human rights issues in a timely manner. 8 The decision will take effect in August 2016, at which time the Office of the Ombudsman of Samoa will be upgraded to a full APF member.