Humanelaw

The Asia Pacific Forum is an important regional human rights organization of Asia Pacific region. The Asia pacific forum (APF) was set up in 1996 by the NHRI in its first regional meeting in Asia pacific. The Asia Pacific is the biggest and the most varied region of the globe. The region covers more than half of the world’s population.The conference assembled the NHRI of Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and India together with a number of regional non government and government organizations.

The main objectives of the APF as per Larrakia Decleration: Assist Governments in the region in establishing and developing National Human Rights Institutions and increase joint activity, cooperation and mutual support among member institutes.

Objectives of the Asia Pacific Forum - To achieve the goal Asia Pacific Forum will:

• Take action to the requirements of member institutions with the delivery of realistic support projects
• Support in the set up as well as empowering NHRIs in the region in full compliance with the Paris Principles
• Encourage global, regional as well as sub-regional cooperation with coordination
• Look for a constant partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as all relevant agencies of the United Nations.
• Be delegate of the region in the organization, involvement and execution of its activities
• Reinforce its capacity to meet the requirements of its increasing membership
• Get an adequate level of funding
• Make sure that the organizations as well as its activities are administered efficiently.

1. The APF provides services together with national human rights commission on regional basis such as including staff exchanges, networks, training and capacity building.
2. As per UN ‘Paris Principles’, the APF includes 15 full members. It also has two associate members and it represents varied range of nation from Asia Pacific.
3. The APF has its decision making body, known as forum council and it is constituted of senior representatives from all full member institutions. The implementation of the decisions is done by the APF Secretariat and the APF Secretariat manages every day operations of the Forum.
4. The APF has a good record in fostering programs that really improve the human rights of individuals as well as vulnerable people.
5. The Asia Pacific Forum also organizes activities on a sub-regional level.
6. The APF members are also promoting their own sub-regional partnerships and shares expertise as well as provide mutual support as they respond to human right problems in the Asia Pacific.
7. The Asia Pacific is an organization based on the members and it is made up of NHRI in the region. The organization works as an independent, non- profit legal body, along with the forum council – a ‘board of directors’ - that reflects the forums wide regional diversity.

The important elements of the Forum’s organizational structure are:

• The forum council
• The APF Secretariat
• Committees of councilors

The forum council meets every year in the APF Annual meeting and on the events whenever is needed.

Asia Pacific Forum member institutions consider that regional coordination and cooperation is necessary to promote and protect the human rights of the groups of the Asia Pacific.