The APF was established in 1996 at the first regional meeting of national human rights institutions from the Asia Pacific.

The meeting brought together the national human rights commissions of Australia, India, Indonesia and New Zealand, along with a number of regional governments and non-government organisations.

The Larrakia Declaration, which was adopted by the participants, outlined the primary objectives of the APF: to provide support to governments in the region in the establishment and development of national human rights institutions, and to expand mutual support, cooperation and joint activity among member institutions.

Two key principles which underpin the work and membership of the APF are a commitment by its member institutions to the Paris Principles – which set out the required standards for national human rights institutions – and a commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights.

From a founding membership of four national human rights institutions, the APF has grown steadily. APF members are categorised in accordance with their compliance with the Paris Principles. The APF now has 14 full members and three associate members, drawn from countries representing all parts of the Asia Pacific region.

The range of services provided to APF members, governments and civil society organisations, including advice, training and other capacity building activities, has also continued to expand.

A major initiative of the APF was the establishment in 1998 of an Advisory Council of Jurists (ACJ), made up of eminent jurists from across the Asia Pacific, to develop jurisprudence on international human rights law. The ACJ prepares independent advice for the APF on the pressing human rights issues of the region.

Between 1996 and 2001, the APF Secretariat was hosted by the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. In 2002 the APF was incorporated as an independent, non-profit organisation.

For more detailed information about the history and growth of the APF please refer to the organisation’s annual reports and papers presented at the annual meetings.