About the Asia Pacific Forum
The Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) is the leading regional human rights organisation in the Asia Pacific.
Established in 1996, we are a member-based organisation that supports the establishment and strengthening of independent national human rights institutions in the region.
Our goal is to protect and promote the human rights of the people of the Asia Pacific region through the work of our member institutions.
Read our 2011-12 Annual Report in magazine format.
Word and PDF versions are also available on this page.
Our members
The APF currently has 15 full members and four associate members. Our members represent a diverse range of countries from across the region.
To be admitted as a full member, a national human rights institution must comply with the minimum international standards set out in the Paris Principles.
Any national human rights institution in the Asia Pacific can apply to join the APF.
Decisions about membership are made by the Forum Council, the APF’s governing body.
Our priorities
The APF directs its efforts towards:
- supporting our members to promote and protect human rights at the country level
- assisting governments and civil society to establish independent national human rights institutions that comply with international standards
- promoting cooperation on human rights issues at the sub-regional, regional and international level.
We also provide a framework for national human rights institutions to share information and work together on a regional basis to respond to issues of shared concern.
This is especially important given the Asia Pacific is the only region without a comprehensive intergovernmental system to monitor, promote and protect human rights.
Our approach is based on collaboration and partnership. We are supported in our work by a broad range of partners and stakeholders.
