Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions Pakistan Pakistan’s lower house of the National Assembly unanimously passed a bill on 21 December 2011 to establish an independent NHRI with wide judicial powers. The passage of the bill follows years of advocacy from national organisations, with advice and support provided by regional and international organisations, including the APF and OHCHR. Under the bill, the National Commission for Human Rights will have the power to receive and consider complaints. When undertaking inquiries, it will have the powers of a civil court and can summon any individual, public or private department. The Commission will have the power to intervene in any proceedings involving alleged violations of human rights, to visit jails nationwide and to appoint special investigation teams of officers from police and other law enforcement agencies. It will be required to submit an annual report to the federal government which will then be bound to lay it before parliament. In addition, the Commission will have full administrative and financial autonomy and its accounts will be audited by the Auditor-General of Pakistan. It will be based in Islamabad and may establish offices in provincial headquarters or other places as appropriate. Solomon Islands At the invitation of the Solomon Islands Government, a regional delegation comprised of representatives from the APF, OHCHR and PIFS visited the Pacific Island country from 23–27 January 2012 to discuss the potential establishment of a NHRI. During their week-long visit to Solomon Islands, the delegation met with a broad range of people, including senior Parliamentarians; heads of government departments; the Commissioners of Police and Corrections; the Law Reform Commission; the Office of the Ombudsman; the Office of the Public Solicitor; the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; civil society organisations working for the rights of children, women, persons with disabilities and rural farmers; trade unions; the media; and representatives of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. The purpose of the meetings was to collect people’s views on the establishment of a NHRI in the Solomon Islands. Discussions focused on the value that a NHRI could bring, the roles that it could perform, how it could best complement and augment existing State institutions and fill gaps, and the type of NHRI most appropriate to Solomon Islands’ culture and its legal and political systems. The delegation prepared a comprehensive report on its consultations for the Government. The report, delivered to the Government in March 2012, captured the views expressed by participants, which revealed broad Governmental and public support for the establishment of a NHRI in Solomon Islands. Representatives from the APF, OHCHR and PIFS visit the Solomon Islands. Photograph Ben Lee. 38 | 3. Promote compliance with the Paris Principles