The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), as the Secretariat of the Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI), is pleased to present the publication of the 2019 ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of the National Human Rights Institutions in Asia.

Member–organisations of ANNI have shown true commitment through their work and we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the collaborative work carried out for the amalgamation of this report. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) that have contributed to the publication.

Following the true essence of the ANNI Report which has been polished over the past decade, this year’s ANNI Report is based on country reports, with analysis of the performance of each country’s NHRI or the progress made towards the possible establishment of an NHRI, during 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. The foundation of these country reports have been structured according to ANNI Reporting Guidelines that were consolidated, framed and discussed by the ANNI members at the 12th Regional Consultation of ANNI held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in February 2019. The 2019 ANNI Report includes in its analysis independence and effectiveness of the NHRIs, and the trend and level of engagement of the NHRIs with various stakeholders, including civil society and HRDs. Moreover this year’s theme explores the role of NHRIs in democratic backsliding and contraction of civic spaces.

ANNI hopes this publication will continue to serve as a strategic advocacy tool to enhance the performance and effectiveness of NHRIs as public defenders and protectors of human rights on the ground.

***

For the PDF version of this Report, click here