The Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

The Forum is an independent non-profit organisation that supports, through regional cooperation, the establishment and development of national institutions in order to protect and promote the human rights of the peoples of the region.

The objectives of the Forum are to:

  • respond where possible with personnel and other support to requests from governments in the region for assistance in the establishment and development of national institutions
  • expand mutual support, co-operation and joint activity among member institutions through:
    • information exchanges
    • training and development for commission members and staff
    • development of joint positions on issues of common concern
    • sharing expertise
    • periodical regional meetings
    • specialist regional seminars on common themes and needs
  • responding promptly and effectively to requests from other national institutions to investigate violations of the human rights of their nationals present in a country that has a national institution
  • welcome as participants in the Forum other independent national institutions that conform with the Paris Principles
  • encourage governments and human rights non-government organisations to participate in Forum meetings as observers.

The Forum currently has a membership of 17 national human rights institutions from across the Asia Pacific. Full membership of the Forum is based on an institution meeting the minimum standards in the United Nations-endorsed Paris Principles.

For more information on The Asia Pacific Forum see the Forum’s website

Back to top