Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions The APF delegation was led by Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. Following the dialogue, the delegation travelled to the capital Nay Pyi Taw, to hold meetings with government officials, parliamentarians and civil society groups. From 2–10 April 2013, the APF in partnership with the RWI, facilitated a study tour by representatives of the Myanmar Commission to the Australian and New Zealand Human Rights Commissions. The study tour examined the full range of NHRI functions with regards to complaints, education and monitoring of State performance. The representatives of the Myanmar Commission also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Governments. From 17–19 May 2013 the APF travelled to Yangon, Myanmar to meet with the Commission to discuss the implementation of a regional training-of-trainers program and the possible development of an AusAID program of technical assistance. Pacific parliamentarians From 18–20 July 2012, the APF partnered in a meeting for parliamentarians from Pacific Island countries to discuss human rights issues in the region. Organised by the Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the consultation explored a broad range of topics, including: • sexual and gender-based violence • the rights of people with disabilities • the rights of people living with HIV • human rights and climate change • ratification of international human right conventions, and • participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and other international human right mechanisms. The program also focused on opportunities to develop or strengthen human rights mechanisms at both the domestic and the regional level. The APF addressed the parliamentarians on international standards and best practice in the establishment of NHRIs, as well as recent developments in the region. A number of Pacific Island countries have taken steps towards establishing an NHRI, including Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Nauru sunrise. Photo by Ben Lee. 20 | 1. Enhance members’ institutional capacity to promote and protect human rights