Annual Report 2011–2012 • A summary of issues relevant to the application, which is prepared by the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section of the OHCHR and provided to the NHRI for its review and response. • Reports from other organisations, such as national or regional civil society organisations, that are able to provide information on the work of the NHRI. Accreditation reviews occur every five years. The sub-committee meets twice a year, normally in March and November. The APF provides support to its regional representative on the ICC sub-committee. At its meetings in October 2011 and March 2012, the ICC Sub-Committee on Accreditation considered the accreditation, reaccreditation or review of 33 NHRIs. The Sub-Committee also developed draft General Observations on: • NHRIs operating as NPMs • the quasi-judicial competency NHRIs, and • assessing the performance of NHRIs. The purpose of General Observations is to provide guidance to NHRIs in developing their own processes and mechanisms, as well as assist governments address issues relating to a NHRI’s compliance with the Paris Principles. The Sub-Committee also uses the General Observations, along with the Paris Principles to guide its assessment of applications for accreditation, re-accreditation and special reviews of NHRIs. The APF provided its advice in the ICC Sub-Committee meetings on the drafting the General Observations. 3.2 Providing advice to members and others Evaluation findings Outcome indicator: Advice Performance rating: On track A central focus of the APF is to support the establishment or strengthening of independent NHRIs in the region. To help achieve this goal the APF provides advice to NHRIs, governments and civil society groups on: • the unique status of NHRIs • their roles and functions • their relationship with the government, parliament and civil society, and the international accreditation process. This can also include technical advice on compliance with the international standards set out in the Paris Principles; operational issues, such as organisational structure, operational procedures and financial resources; and the development of ‘best practice’ models. In 2011–12 the APF provided advice to existing members, potential members, governments, international and regional organisations and other stakeholders, including legal and policy advice on such topics as NHRI models, NHRI legislation, constitutional interpretation and amendment, international standards, accreditation and institutional cooperation. The APF secretariat was able to satisfactorily respond to 97 percent of the 31 requests for advice received, providing accreditation advice to 10 member institutions, eight countries in the region without member institutions and a number of UN and regional bodies as well as academic and NGOs. 3. Promote compliance with the Paris Principles | 33