IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

ASIA PACIFIC FORUM

23rd September, 2023 International Relations

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Context

  • The President of India inaugurated the Annual General Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights in New Delhi.

Details

About

  • The Asia Pacific Forum (APF) is one of four regional networks of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) within the International Co-ordinating Committee of NHRIs.

Establishment

  • The APF was established in 1996 with five members.

Goal

  • A fundamental goal of the APF is to promote the establishment of independent NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region and to support our members to do their work as effectively as possible.

Members

  • The APF has 17 full members and eight associate members.
  • To be admitted as a full member, a National Human Rights Institution must fully comply with the minimum international standards set out in the Paris Principles.
  • National Human Rights Institutions that partially comply with the Paris Principles are granted associate membership.
  • The APF may use the accreditation decisions of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) to determine APF membership status.

Function

  • Within the rich social and cultural diversity of our membership, APF members work collaboratively to address some of the most complex human rights challenges in the region.

Activities

  • Thematic training programs to build knowledge and skills that are central to the work of independent NHRIs.
  • Capacity assessments that enable members to identify practical steps they can take to strengthen their institutions.
  • Specialised programs to meet the needs of individual members or to address a serious human rights issue, such as our Torture Prevention Ambassadors initiative.
  • High-level Dialogues to engage newly-appointed Commissioners in a conversation on their responsibilities and their individual and collective goals.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements.

1.The Asia Pacific Forum (APF) is one of four regional networks of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

2.The APF has 30 full members and eight associate members.

3.To be admitted as a full member, a National Human Rights Institution must fully comply with the minimum international standards set out in the Paris Principles.

4.The APF may use the accreditation decisions of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) to determine APF membership status.

How many of the above are correct?

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) Only 3

D) All Four

Answer: C) Only 3

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1958994