WHAT SETS US APART? The APF is one of four regional coordinating committees of NHRIs. Regional coordinating committees have also been established to support the NHRIs of Africa, the Americas and Europe. Based in Geneva, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) promotes the establishment and operation of NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles. What sets the APF apart is the breadth and diversity of the services we offer our members, including capacity development programs, opportunities for collaboration and specialist advice on NHRI legislation and international accreditation. We also continue to be a leader among NHRI bodies in promoting and monitoring gender equality. ADVOCATING FOR NHRIs DURING COVID-19 In a policy paper published in April 2020, the APF stressed the vital need for NHRIs to continue performing their monitoring, reporting and advisory functions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In many countries across the region, governments had enacted states of emergency or imposed limits on freedom of movement to try and halt the spread of the virus. “As the impact of emergency circumstances will always have a dramatic impact on the enjoyment of rights, especially on vulnerable groups, NHRIs are expected to act with a heightened state of vigilance in such circumstances,” the APF said in the paper. In solidarity with our members, the APF called on governments in the Asia Pacific to ensure that NHRIs were equipped and able to exercise their important monitoring, reporting and other functions. The APF also reaffirmed its commitment to support member institutions through outreach, solidarity and capacity development programs delivered online. Since the start of the pandemic, APF members have • Advocated strongly on behalf of women, migrant workers, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups so they do not face additional risks or harm • Monitored human rights during periods where a state of emergency was decreed • Inspected places of detention and made recommendations to safeguard detainees and officials • Coordinated public education campaigns to counter voices of fear, discrimination and prejudice. WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/USER/ASIAPACIFICFORUM ANNUAL REPORT 2019–20 7