The President of India recently inaugurated the Annual General Meeting and Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights in New Delhi. The Asia Pacific Forum, established in 1996, serves as a robust platform uniting National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from across the Asia Pacific region. With a focus on addressing critical human rights challenges, it counts 17 full members and eight associate members. India has been a full member since 1996, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international standards like the Paris Principles for NHRI membership. The APF’s core objective is to promote independent NHRIs and enhance their effectiveness in the region.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs): NHRIs are organizations responsible for safeguarding and promoting human rights at the national level. They play a crucial role in monitoring and addressing human rights issues within their respective countries.
- Paris Principles: The Paris Principles are a set of international standards that define the fundamental characteristics and functions of NHRIs. Full compliance with these principles is a prerequisite for full membership in the Asia Pacific Forum.
- Full Members: Full members of the Asia Pacific Forum are NHRIs that fully comply with the Paris Principles. They have a more substantial role within the organization and contribute to addressing human rights challenges in the region.
- Associate Members: Associate members are NHRIs that partially comply with the Paris Principles. While they have a limited role compared to full members, they are still part of the forum and contribute to its objectives.
- Forum Council: The Forum Council is responsible for making decisions regarding the admission of new members to the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights. This council plays a pivotal role in shaping the composition of the organization and ensuring adherence to its principles and goals.