Annual Report 2011–2012 The Paris Principles set out the minimum standards required by NHRIs to be considered credible and to operate effectively. The Paris Principles identify six criteria that NHRIs should meet in order to be effective, including: • a clearly defined and broad-based mandate based on universal human rights standards • autonomy from government • independence guaranteed by legislation or the constitution • pluralism, including membership that broadly reflects their society • adequate resources, and • adequate powers of investigation. A fundamental role of the APF is to support our members, along with new NHRIs in the region, to understand and to comply with the Paris Principles. During the reporting period the APF provided advice and assistance to 8 existing and potential members. In 2011–12 the APF experienced a steady increase in membership with the potential for a number of new members. 3.1 Accreditation of NHRIs Evaluation findings Outcome indicator: Accreditation Performance rating: On track The Paris Principles provide the core framework for assessing the independence and effectiveness of NHRIs. In particular, they are used by the ICC to determine the accreditation status of NHRIs. Accreditation assesses the extent to which an NHRI meets the minimum standards set out in the Paris Principles. It is a peer-based evaluation process, undertaken by representatives of NHRIs from each of the four regions: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. NHRIs which are considered to fully comply with the Paris Principles are accredited as ‘A’ status institutions, while those that partially comply are accredited as ‘B’ status institutions. ‘A’ status NHRIs are permitted to participate in the work and discussion of the UN Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies. The APF adopts the accreditation decisions of the ICC to determine APF membership status. • Full members of the APF are NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region accredited with ‘A’ status by the ICC. Each full member is represented on the Forum Council – the APF’s decision-making body – by a voting councillor. Full members also nominate a jurist to sit on the APF’s ACJ. • Associate members of the APF are NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region accredited with ‘B’ status by the ICC. Associate members are entitled to participate in APF programs and activities, however, they are not entitled to vote on Forum Council decisions or nominate a jurist to the ACJ. Since its inception in 1996, APF membership has steadily risen, as can be seen in Figure 8. Fifteen out of the APF’s 18 member institutions currently have ‘A’ status. This reflects a global rising trend in the accreditation of NHRIs, although this trend has softened in recent years, both in the Asia Pacific and globally. 3. Promote compliance with the Paris Principles | 31