• Asia Pacific Forum Virtual Dialogue Series 2022: People with Disabilities and the Role of National Human Rights Institutions The objective of the activity is to provide a regional platform for the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) members and its prospective members to exchange information, share best practices, achievements, and challenges in relation to their work on people with disabilities. The National Human Rights Commission of India and Asia Pacific Forum (APF) organized and streamed the online dialogue on July 18, 2022. The discussions “provided an opportunity for NHRIs to discuss their experiences and best practices in protecting the rights of people with disabilities.” CHR officers joined the conversations as representative of the Commission and its Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Center. Dr. DM Mulay, (a member of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC) spoke on Participation in Public and Political Life. On the other hand, Dr. Ben Gauntlett (Disability Discrimination Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission), along with Sarah Adibah (Officer of the Law and International Treaties Division, Malaysian Human Rights Commission) embarked on the topic “Barriers to Inclusion”. The participants noted and emphasized several significant trends regarding people’s disabilities in various parts of the world. They agreed on the following: (a) that the number of persons with disabilities within various populations is growing; (b) that social stigma afflicts the persons with disabilities; (c) that the conflicting data of persons with disabilities presents a challenge; (d) that laws, regulations, and special institutions are getting better although the implementation needs to improve; and (e) that NHRIs could play key roles in strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities, despite that resources availability is a real test. The CHR stated in its recommendations the need to strengthen its monitoring of the sector’s access to education, health, information, and employment and to bolster as well education and advocacy campaign against the discrimination and stigma being experienced by persons with disabilities in the country. It added that the Commission on Human Rights should strengthen its monitoring of the sector’s access to education, health, information, and employment. 7. Annual Celebratory Activities • National Human Rights Consciousness week The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spearheaded the 20th National Human Rights Consciousness Week (NHRCW) Kick-Off Ceremony on 05 December 2022 with the theme, “Pagtataguyod at Pagsusulong ng mga Karapatang Pantao Tungo sa Matatag na Pundasyon ng Kapayapaan, Katarungan, Kalikasan, Kaunlaran at Bayanihan,” aligned with the global slogan of Human Rights Day, “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.” Twenty years since the first Human Rights Week was celebrated by virtue of Republic Act No. 9201, CHR along with member government agencies and civil society organizations comprising the NHRCW Committee reaffirm commitment to perform their mandates to uphold dignity, freedom, and justice for all. As part of the National Human Rights Consciousness Celebration, the CHR through its Human Rights Education and Promotion Office (HREPO) in partnership with the Civil Service Commission-Civil Service Institute invited the public to a special learning session on “Mainstreaming Human RightsBased Approach in Government 28