Annual Report 2012–2013 The APF advocates for members’ participation in international and regional mechanisms. It does this by promoting joint APF member policy positions and in ensuring that NHRIs are effectively recognised in these mechanisms. During 2012–13 the APF provided a strong and consistent voice for the region, influencing international mechanisms on behalf of our member institutions. 4.1. International mechanisms Evaluation findings Outcome indicator Influencing Performance rating On track The APF, with its member institutions and other partner organisations, seeks to support and engage with the various human rights protection systems internationally and across the region. During 2012–13 APF members participated in the UPR, in human rights treaty body examinations, and in visits by, or reports of, special procedure mandate holders. During the reporting period the APF produced a training manual on how NHRIs can effectively utilise international human rights mechanisms to drive domestic human rights improvements. The manual explores, in plain language, the opportunities for engagement and the experiences of NHRIs that do so. It also includes case studies on the international engagement of the NHRIs of Australia, Jordan, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Featuring practical advice throughout, it is designed to be a ready reference for NHRIs in their work with the international human rights system, as well as a key resource in the APF’s training course on the international human rights system. International human rights system training resource. Figure 9 shows that the level of overall positive engagement with UN processes across the APF membership remains consistently high. The cyclical nature of the UPR and treaty body reviews account for the difference between years. However, despite annual variations, there appears to be an increasing trend for member NHRIs to follow-up recommendations with their States, to monitor proceedings and outcomes, and to submit parallel reports, as encouraged through capacity building by the APF. The exception appears to be a declining trend in member NHRIs participating in proceedings independently. This may be a result of limited resources to support independent participation. Members’ engagement in the universal cyclical processes is more frequent than in the targeted processes associated with special procedures mandate holders. Therefore trends in universal processes are slightly easier to identify over time. 4. Engage with international and regional human rights mechanisms | 39