Providing advice and expertise 3 2 13 6 People who have experienced abuse and human rights violations need somewhere to turn to. Some institutions, such as the police, may not be appropriate. Others, like the courts, can be costly, inaccessible and intimidating. very high high medium low very low no response This is why strong and independent NHRIs are so important. They provide a safe and informal place where all people – men and women, young and old, citizen and non-citizen – can bring complaints and seek redress. ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY 2017: VALUE TO MEMBERS OF PROVIDING ADVICE AND EXPERTISE The APF works with governments and civil society groups in the region to help establish NHRIs that are strong defenders of human rights. This year we joined with the South Pacific Community’s Regional Rights Resource Team to conduct scoping visits to four Pacific Island countries: • Tuvalu (5-12 July 2016) • Nauru (6-10 March 2017) • Marshall Islands (18-24 March 2017) • Cook Islands (15-24 April 2017). During our consultations, we were told about the challenges facing women and girls, young people and workers, among others. We also heard about the threat that climate change poses for the livelihood and safety of whole communities. Our discussions in each country found strong support for the establishment of an NHRI that could protect the rights of individuals and also address community-wide challenges. Progress to establish an NHRI in Tuvalu has been especially swift, with the APF assisting in the preparation of draft legislation that was presented to the Parliament in early 2017. The Bill includes explicit protection for the rights of women and girls. RECOGNITION ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE Five APF members sought reaccreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) during the year, with the APF providing each with advice and support. The NHRIs of Australia, Indonesia, Jordan and the Philippines were re-accredited with ‘A status’, while the re-accreditation decision relating to the National Human Rights Commission of India was deferred until November 2017. 10 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS WHAT WE ACHIEVED IN 2016–17 • Held consultations in four countries across the Pacific to explore possible pathways for establishing an NHRI. • Helped prepare draft legislation to establish an NHRI in Tuvalu, with the Bill presented to the Parliament in early 2017 for discussion and debate. • Provided support to five APF members seeking international accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. • Responded to 20 requests for legal advice from APF members, governments, international organisations and civil society groups. ‘A status’ accreditation allows NHRIs to participate in meetings of the UN Human Rights Council, the human rights treaty bodies and in the Universal Periodic Review, where they raise pressing issues and recommend solutions that will deliver meaningful change for vulnerable groups back home. The Office of the Ombudsman of Samoa officially became an ‘A status’ NHRI in August 2016, following its review by GANHRI in May 2016. It is uncommon for an NHRI to be awarded “A status” at the initial accreditation. However, GANHRI’s decision was based, among other things, on the broad human rights mandate of Samoa’s NHRI. The APF played a key role in drafting the founding legislation that underpins the work of the Ombudsman.