In June 2010, the Network had 15 NHRIs with “A” status (see annex II below). In 2009, West African NHRIs established a subregional network during a meeting in Banjul and early work has been undertaken to make it operational. Americas and the Caribbean The Network of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Americas was created in 2000 with the support of OHCHR. It aims to promote a culture of respect for human rights; strengthen the recognition and implementation of international commitments; contribute to democratic development; strengthen existing NHRIs, and support the development of new and emerging NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles. The Network invites as observers NHRIs that have no “A” status accreditation. In June 2010, the Network had 15 NHRIs with “A” status (see annex II). In 2009, the Network organized a workshop in Geneva on the universal periodic review and the international human rights system with the support of OHCHR. National human rights institutions shared experiences and best practices on their interaction with the international human rights system. Asia and the Pacific The Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) attended the first Regional Workshop of NHRIs in Australia in 1996 as an organization mandated to support the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs in the region. This concept was formally accepted in 1997. Its annual meeting brings together NHRIs from Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations, Governments and NGOs to improve human rights cooperation in the region through the promotion and strengthening of NHRIs. It is an opportunity for senior representatives of each of the member institutions to review and plan their activities, as well as to discuss human rights issues that are relevant to the region. It provides practical assistance and support to its members, Governments and NGOs to enable them to undertake their own human rights protection, monitoring, promotion and advocacy more effectively. In June 2010, APF had 15 members with “A” status (see annex II). Europe The European Group of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights is composed of European NHRIs, the majority of which have “A” status (see annex II). It regularly holds regional conferences and round-table meetings, and is actively involved in the United Nations human rights mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Council, the universal periodic review, human rights treaty bodies and special procedures. It cooperates with the European Union’s Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, including the European Court of Human Rights, and others. European NHRIs have also engaged with the Arab-European Human Rights Dialogue, which is designed to foster productive dialogue among NHRIs in Europe and the Arab world. The Dialogue was initiated in 2005 by the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Jordanian National Center for Human Rights. It provides NHRIs of both regions with a forum to discuss cross-cutting human rights issues and to strengthen institutional capacities by sharing best practices and experiences, and helps NHRIs in the Arab region to build a regional network.9 9 More information is available from http://aehrd.info/j02/. 6