The impact of corruption on the realisation of human rights will be one of the key discussion themes during the APF’s 14th Annual Meeting, to be held in Jordan from 3 – 6 August.

Hosted by Jordan’s National Centre for Human Rights, the meeting will bring together more than 150 representatives from APF member institutions, other national human rights commissions, United Nations agencies, national governments, non-government organisations and donor groups.

This year’s meeting will include:

• a half-day  workshop for Senior Executive Officers of APF member institutions
• the Annual General Meeting of the APF’s decision-making body, the Forum Council, which will run over one and a half days and consider a number of strategic priorities for the organisation
• a two day conference, featuring country reports from APF member institutions; statements from NGO representatives and regional governments; and discussion of two key themes, Human rights and corruption and Human rights and religious belief.

The Advisory Council of Jurists will not be considering a reference at this year’s Annual Meeting. However, it is anticipated that it will meet in conjunction with the 15th Annual Meeting in 2010, once an agreed reference topic has been approved by the Forum Council.

During APF 14, the Forum Council will consider important proposals about APF membership and accreditation, as well as the role and function of the annual meetings and conferences.

The group will discuss whether to continue with its existing membership system or to adopt the process and recommendations of the International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions.

The Forum Council will also consider whether to separate the APF’s Annual Business Meeting from the Annual Conference, with the latter to become a biennial conference.

“The proposal seeks to refocus the annual meetings on their original purpose – to provide APF members with the opportunity to discuss the work and direction of the organisation, to share experiences and to develop and build relationships,” said Kieren Fitzpatrick, Director of the APF Secretariat.

“However, we would still host a major conference every two years to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the important human rights issues facing the Asia Pacific region.”

This year’s Annual Meeting will be officially opened by King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein, who is providing patronage for the event.

Days one and two will include meetings of the Senior Executive Officers and the Forum Council. Days three and four are set aside for the APF conference, which is open to APF members and all registered observers.

A draft conference program, along with other background papers and information, will shortly be available on the APF website.