A/HRC/7/69 page 32 Annex IV REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS IN ASIA Manila, 15-17 October 2007 Concluding Statement In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, with the support of the Government of the Philippines, organized a three-day Regional Workshop on the Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia, held in Manila from 15 to 17 October 2007. The workshop participants: • Express appreciation to the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as the Government of the Philippines for convening this Regional Workshop on the Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Asia; • Acknowledge the participation of the UNDP Resident Representative/UNCT Resident Coordinator in the Philippines and, as resource persons, the National Human Rights Institutions from India, the Republic of Korea, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand as ‘ASEAN-4’, and the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs, as well as the presence of the Head of Delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines; • Emphasize the relevance of NHRIs as key actors in strengthening human rights promotion and protection; • Acknowledge the comprehensive overview given and discussions held on the establishment of NHRIs, their historical and legal background, the minimum standards NHRIs have to comply with, as well as the core functions, main features and methods of operation of NHRIs; • Recognize the importance of taking necessary measures in order to establish NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles; • Emphasize the importance of sensitizing Governments, Parliaments, and other relevant national stakeholders on the values and benefits of establishing NHRIs; • Recognize the assistance, support and advice from OHCHR, UNCTs, and the commitment of support from APF and other NHRIs in Asia in establishing NHRIs that may be made available at the request of Member States. Manila, 17 October 2007