About the Forum

The main objectives of the Forum are:

  • To foster closer collaboration and co-operation among NGOs, and with the African Commission for promotion and protection human rights in Africa;
  • To provide a discussion platform for organizations working on democracy and human rights issues in the continent;
  • To promote inter-regional/organizational networking for the implementation of decisions of the Forum as contained in the ACHPR Communiqué amongst others.

The NGOs Forum is one of the main advocacy tools that the Centre uses to promote networking among Human Rights NGOs, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. In collaboration with the African Commission and other human rights organizations, the African Centre has facilitated the participation of civil society organizations, academicians and other professionals from Africa and beyond in the African Commission’s sessions.

Last session: The last Forum held in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast in October, 2012 was a resounding success with over 200 participants, coming from civil society organization and NGOs in Africa and beyond, inter-state organizations, the academia, and so on.

Governance: The NGOs Forum Steering Committee, will in consultation, organize and host the Forum, which will deliberate generally on the human rights situation in Africa in general and attempt to bring to the fore specific situations that need to be highlighted in order to attract the attention of the African Commission in particular and the international community and other concerned bodies.

Book fair: The 27th African Human Rights Book Fair will also take place during the Forum to enable NGOs network and initiate or renew, the exchange of materials and information, as well as to publicize their activities.

History: Between 1990 and 1994, ACDHRS collaborated with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ, Switzerland), in facilitating the participation of civil society organizations, academicians and other professionals from Africa and beyond in the African Commission’s sessions. However, since April 2000 the ACDHRS has facilitated the participation of NGOs and individuals in the Sessions, in collaboration with the African Commission and other human rights organizations working for Africa.