SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS 11th – 13th November 2002, New Delhi, India CONCLUDING STATEMENT Introduction 1. The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, consisting of the National Human Rights Commissions of India, Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand, held this Seventh Annual Meeting in New Delhi, India from 11th to 13th November 2002. 2. The Forum expressed its gratitude to the National Human Rights Commission of India for hosting the meeting, to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for its co-sponsorship and to the governments of India, Australia and New Zealand for their financial support. The Forum paid tribute to Mr Brian Burdekin and thanked him for his exceptional work as Special Advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Forum also expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the Commissioners and staff of the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Secretariat of the Forum for their work in the organisation of the meeting. 3. The Forum welcomed the participation of representatives as observers from the governments of Australia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Thailand and Timor-Leste, the institutions from Afghanistan, Iran, New Zealand and Palestine, and international, regional and national non-governmental organizations. 4. The Hon. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, Justice J.S. Verma, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and Mr Brian Burdekin, Special Advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the inaugural session. In the opening statements the distinguished speakers recognised human rights as a vital constituent of the rule of law and an essential element of good governance. In this, the important role of national human rights institutions in protecting and promoting human rights was reiterated. Particular attention was drawn to the challenges posed by terrorism and the human rights issues associated with trafficking and disability. Conclusions 5. The Forum reaffirmed that the structure and responsibilities of national institutions should be consistent with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 48/134) commonly 24