A/HRC/10/54
page 25
10.
Welcomed the reports of APF members on their operations over the preceding year. Also
welcomed the reports of the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission and the Iranian
Islamic Human Rights Commission.
11.
Noted the reports about regional cooperation activities between APF members. In
particular they discussed and welcomed the progress of the NHRIs of Malaysia, Indonesia,
Philippines and Thailand to promote the establishment of an ASEAN regional human
rights mechanism. They further noted the call for regional standard setting on the human
rights of migrants in an irregular situations and migrant domestic workers.
12.
Welcomed the reports of the governments of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa and the inter-governmental
Pacific Islands Forum on the activities undertaken to protect and promote human rights
including support for NHRIs. In particular they welcomed the commitments made by the
governments of Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Samoa to establish NHRIs and offered
these governments the support of the APF.
13.
Welcomed the reports of NGOs. Forum Councillors expressed their appreciation for the
constructive and coordinated contribution of NGOs, thanked NGOs for their submissions,
collective participation and advocacy at the meeting and stressed their commitment to
constructive dialogue and practical cooperation. Forum Councillors agreed to further
consider:
• Integrating the issue of human rights defenders into reference topics made to the
Advisory Council of Jurists
• Seeking a dialogue with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights
Defenders about how NHRIs can effectively engage with her mandate
• Including the situation of human rights defenders in the annual activity report taking
into account the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders
• Strengthening follow up mechanisms to recommendations made by the APF, the
Advisory Council of Jurists and international mechanisms including the Human Rights
Council, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), treaty bodies and Special Procedures
• Strategies to strengthen the role of NHRIs in affording immediate protection against
human rights violations at the national level
• Encouraging the development of human rights impact assessment tools in relation to
policies adversely effecting economic, social and cultural rights
14.
With regard to the current human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and
the difficulties faced by human rights defenders, requested that the Iranian Islamic
Human Rights Commission make efforts to protect human rights defenders and promote
the registration of such organizations in accordance with the Iranian Constitution and
national law. APF members offered to support the Commission in these efforts.
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