APF Sub-Regional Workshop Concluded
Published on 03-06-2010
Sub-regional workshop for South Asian National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), held by Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), in affiliation with Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) was concluded and participants were awarded with certificates.
A total of 27 participants from NHRIs of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives took part in this weeklong program which went on from May 30 to June 3 at Bandos Island Resort & Spa.
Participants discussed international human rights law, ways in which NHRIs can contribute to the international human rights system, the international standards that apply to NHRIs, and Human Rights in the UN System. They were informed on these areas by APF expert consultant Prof. Chris Sidoti and Suraina Pasha from the APF. In addition to this, information and experience were also shared amongst the NHRIs.
At the closing ceremony certificates were awarded to the participants by HRCM member Maryam Azra Ahmed and Suraina Pasha. Addressing the participants, Maryram Azra highlighted the importance of the workshop and thanked everyone who contributed in making it a success. In his speech, Prof. Chris Sidoti said that he hoped all participants would use the knowledge and experience gained from the workshop to promote human rights at home.
APF is the main regional organization of NHRIs in the Asia Pacific with fifteen full members and two associate members. HRCM is an associate member of APF since September, 2007. This is the first time a regional human rights training workshop was held in the Maldives.