Table B NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Rights of Indigenous Peoples Combating Human Trafficking Rights of Migrant Workers Women's Rights and VAW Access to "Remedies" Child Rights Economic, Social & Cultural Rts. Right to Education Climate Change/ Environ. Rts. Violations by State Mechanisms guests for each workshop. A final workshop was held in March in Dhaka to provide stakeholders with a summary of inputs and recommendations gathered over the course of the consultations. The summary workshop presentation, including stakeholder recommendations on the strategic plan and NHRC interventions, is included as Appendix 4. 2 NHRC earns international accreditation from the ICC. As the apex national institution on human rights in Bangladesh, the Commission fulfilled the expectation of accreditation by the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) somewhat earlier than anticipated. In 2011, the Commission earned “B” status from the ICC, a prestigious acknowledgment that is an important entry point for the NHRC to various international fora. The Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) made its recommendation after thorough analysis of the activities of the NHRC. In its report to the ICC, the SCA mentioned inter alia: “The SCA welcomes the recent establishment of the NHRCB. In particular, the SCA recognises the significant public advocacy undertaken by the new Chairperson, as well as the various activities undertaken by the NHRCB as outlined in the Annual Report. The SCA also welcomes the information that the NHRCB is working in cooperation with the December 2010 January 2011 January 2011 February 2011 February 2011 February 2011 March 2011 March 2011 March 2011 March 2011 Dhaka Dhaka Dhaka Dhaka Chittagong Khulna Rangpur Sylhet Barisal Dhaka UNDP to develop further the capacity of the Commission.” As an accredited NHRI, the NHRC enjoys full status and recognition by the international community, and has gained membership in the top international organization of human rights institutions. This affiliation and relationships developed through participation in conferences and networking opportunities will strengthen regional and global cooperation and expand opportunities for knowledge transfer. 3 NHRC gains membership in the Asia Pacific Forum (APF). The Commission successfully applied for membership in the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) and was granted Associate Membership by the institution. Established in 1996, the primary goals of the regional body are to provide support to governments in the region to establish and develop national human rights institutions, and to expand mutual support, cooperation and joint activity among member institutions. Through its work advising and providing legal drafting assistance to governments and parliaments, the APF has helped to ensure that institutions are established in accordance with the international standards set out in the Paris Principles. Membership in APF reflects confidence in the Commission’s ability to fulfil its mandate, and facilitates access to APF 53