APF Quarterly Bulletin Jan-Mar 2026
Welcome to the APF Bulletin, a round-up of news, events and activities involving National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the Asia Pacific region.
The first quarter of 2026 has unfolded against a challenging global context, with the institutions and frameworks designed to protect human rights facing increased pressure. In this environment, NHRIs play a vital role in monitoring and responding to human rights concerns, often serving as a key point of engagement for communities. This Bulletin highlights their work across the Asia Pacific region.
A new leadership, a new chapter
In January 2026, the APF welcomed Thuy Doan-Smith as its new Executive Director. Deeply motivated by equality and fairness, Thuy brings over two decades of institutional knowledge to the role, having recently served as APF's Chief Operating Officer, she knows every corner of the organisation, its members, and its mission. Her appointment signals both continuity and deepened commitment.
APF launches Working Group on AI and Human Rights
The rapid deployment of artificial intelligence across public institutions raises pressing questions about accountability, bias, and the protection of fundamental rights. In response to priorities identified by member NHRIs at the 30th Annual General Meeting, the APF convened a Working Group on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in March 2026.
APF case study: Sri Lanka's gender strategy journey
In March, the APF published a case study on how the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka developed its first Gender Strategy, building on an APF-supported gender audit and now moving into implementation. It offers a practical example of how sustained support can strengthen institutions and drive internal change.
Standing in solidarity with Palestine
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, APF member NHRIs stand in solidarity with their colleagues at the Independent Commission for Human Rights of Palestine (ICHR), who continue to monitor and document human rights violations under conditions of extraordinary danger. APF members firmly call for the protection of civilian lives and full respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
APF statement on the Middle East conflict
In a public statement, the APF expressed profound concern over the escalation of hostilities across several Arab countries and Iran, highlighting WHO-verified reports of attacks on at least 13 health facilities, casualties among medical personnel, and an internet shutdown cutting civilians off from emergency assistance. The APF called on all parties to fully uphold international humanitarian law, including the obligations to protect civilians, ensure proportionality, and safeguard medical and humanitarian personnel.
Around the Region
PHILIPPINES | Commission on Human Rights marks progress in child protection
The removal of the Philippines from the United Nations monitoring list for grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict, following more than two decades of inclusion, marks a significant accountability milestone for child protection frameworks in the country.
In March 2026, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) acknowledged this development, attributing progress to sustained implementation of the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act through coordinated engagement across government, civil society, and the security sector. The Commission has continued to call for strengthened monitoring mechanisms and renewed its advocacy for a stronger CHR Charter to entrench institutional independence.
INDONESIA | Komnas HAM responds to attack on human rights defender
Human rights defenders across the Asia Pacific region carry out their work in contexts of significant risk, including exposure to threats, intimidation, and physical harm. In March 2026, a prominent Indonesian human rights defender and civil society activist sustained serious injuries in a targeted attack in Jakarta.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) responded by formally granting the individual Human Rights Defender status – activating legal protections and calling on the state to ensure accountability through the civilian justice system. Komnas HAM’s response illustrates the central role NHRIs play in providing institutional recognition and protection to those working to defend rights and underscores the urgency of HRD protection as a shared regional mandate.
SRI LANKA | Gender strategy implementation and civic space protection
In March 2026, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) convened its first Gender Sensitisation Session for all Head Office staff – the initial step in implementing a Gender Strategy developed through an APF-supported audit. The Commission also marked International Women’s Day under the theme Women, Climate Change, and Disasters, drawing on the experience of Cyclone Ditwah to advocate for rights-based, gender-inclusive approaches to disaster response and recovery.
In February, HRCSL issued a public statement raising concern that provisions of Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Act were being applied in ways that restricted freedom of expression, including by summoning journalists without legal basis. The statement reflects HRCSL’s mandate to monitor the application of legislation affecting fundamental rights.
NEW ZEALAND | Human Rights Commission establishes AI expert advisory group
As AI tools are increasingly applied to decisions affecting fundamental rights – including in migration, welfare, healthcare, and law enforcement – questions of accountability, non-discrimination, and oversight have become central concerns for national human rights institutions.
In early 2026, the Commission launched its Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Digital Technologies and Human Rights – a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Pacific that brings together legal experts, technical specialists, and rights holders to examine how AI systems reflect, reinforce, or violate human rights at scale. The EAG is not about slowing innovation. It is about ensuring innovation does not leave the rights of the most vulnerable behind. As the APF’s own Working Group on AI takes shape across the region, New Zealand’s Commission is already doing the pioneering work – and setting a model others can build on.
BANGLADESH | A strengthened mandate for the National Human Rights Commission
Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission has undergone significant institutional reform following the adoption of a new NHRC Ordinance in 2025. The reform process was supported through a technical partnership between the APF and UNDP, which provided legal advice to ensure Paris Principles compliance and assisted the government in a broad-based consultative process engaging more than 500 stakeholders. The revised framework addresses longstanding gaps in the Commission's mandate, extending its jurisdiction to cover human rights violations involving the security forces and strengthening its powers to receive complaints, conduct investigations, and pursue redress. The reform brings Bangladesh's national human rights architecture into closer alignment with the Paris Principles, particularly on independence, effectiveness, and accessibility, and represents a significant step in the Commission's institutional development.
PAKISTAN | National Commission for Human Rights receives international recognition
In February 2026, the National Commission for Human Rights of Pakistan was awarded the Dutch Human Rights Tulip Award by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in recognition of its work to promote accountability and protect fundamental freedoms. The award was presented by the Netherlands Ambassador, accompanied by the Dutch Human Rights Ambassador, in a ceremony that underscored international support for the Commission’s institutional role. For a Commission that has developed steadily since its establishment, this recognition reflects growing credibility among regional and international partners.
MALAYSIA | SUHAKAM advances gender equality and constitutional rights
In the first quarter of 2026, SUHAKAM, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, maintained an active public presence across several human rights priorities. On International Women’s Day, SUHAKAM reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and women’s rights in line with CEDAW obligations and issued a joint statement with media partners on the role of ethical reporting in advancing gender equality – consistent with the APF’s regional gender equality priority. The Commission also issued public statements affirming the right to constitutional equality, defending freedom of peaceful assembly, and engaged with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Concluding Observations on Malaysia as a framework for domestic reform.
AUSTRALIA | National study documents systemic racism in higher education
In February 2026, the Australian Human Rights Commission released the Racism@Uni Study, a national survey of more than 76,000 students and staff across 42 universities finding racism widespread and systemic in Australian higher education. The Commission's 47 recommendations frame anti-racism as a structural rather than individual responsibility, illustrating how NHRIs can use their research mandate to drive evidence-based policy reform.
OMAN | Universal Periodic Review and AI governance leadership
The Oman Human Rights Commission participated in the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review in January 2026, with a side event at the Palais des Nations preceding the review to present the Commission's work to international partners. Domestically, a sign language programme developed with the Ministry of Health extended access to Commission services for deaf communities, and the Commission received over 1,000 complaints during the quarter, an indicator of growing public engagement.
On March 30, the Commission is hosting a Geneva side event on integrating artificial intelligence into the work of NHRIs in the Middle East, bringing together human rights institutions from Qatar, Jordan and Morocco and moderated by the APF. The event includes the launch of an AI-based digital identity initiative aimed at strengthening rights documentation and access.
QATAR & JORDAN | Regional engagement on NHRI standards and AI governance
In January, the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar participated in the 25th General Assembly of the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions in Bahrain, using the forum for bilateral meetings on capacity-building with counterparts from across the region. On March 30, Qatar's Chairperson takes the platform in Geneva alongside the APF Chairperson, to present at the Oman-hosted side event on AI and human rights. That three West Asia NHRI leaders, from Oman, Qatar and Jordan, are convening in Geneva around a shared agenda on AI governance, human rights and crisis response is itself a signal: the region's NHRIs are not standing still.
Resources
APF Online Programme on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
APF invites member NHRIs to nominate up to three staff for an Online Programme on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), running 27 April to 12 June 2026. Nominations close 7 April 2026.
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Join the APF Working Group on AI and Human Rights
APF invites member NHRIs to nominate one representative to join the new Working Group on AI and Human Rights, established to support coordinated peer learning and knowledge sharing across the region on AI governance and human rights compliance. Join via email: jelenamilutinovic@asiapacificforum.net
www.asiapacificforum.net
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