On 9 September 2020, NHRC Bangladesh took part in the 25^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), which took place online this year. The AGM serves as an opportunity for APF members to review the operation of the APF over the past year and deal with issues such as the election of officers, the admission of new member institutions, and the approval of the annual audited accounts. It is also a good opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest between member institutions and to communicate with partners and other interested stakeholders.

NHRC Chairman Nasima Begum ndc, Honorary Member Jesmin Ara Begum, Director (Admin & Finance) Kazi Arfan Ashik and PRO Farhana Syead attended the AGM. Hon’ble Chairman raised concrern about lack of a uniform complaint management system of NHRIs. She said, “I think complaint Management system should be updated and there should be a universal standard operating procedure. If it happens then it will be easier to the Commission to dispose the complaints. So, my recommendation is that through this conference a declaration may be taken for the universal standard operating procedure for complaint management. Best practices of different countries may be incorporated to formulate the universal SoP.”