Recommendation on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders
We the participants of the Forum of NGOs participating at the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ rights and the 11th African human rights book fair held at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel, Banjul, Gambia from April 24 to 26, 2005,
Recognising that human rights defenders are working under dangerous environment that is not conducive to the promotion and protection of human rights.
Concerned about the states prevention of human rights defenders from reporting violation of human rights through harassment, death threats, unanimous phone calls and arrest.
Noting that the NGO Forum has consistently informed the Commission of the general trends and obstacles affecting human rights defenders on the continent and the specific grave risk faced by defenders in certain African countries.
Recognising that at its 35th session the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights created the mandate of the special rapporteur on human rights defenders.
We urge the Commission to:
1. provide feed back on the resolutions that were presented by the Forum to the Commission concerning the situation of human rights defenders, including the resolutions that were presented at the 36th session of the African Commission concerning women human rights defenders and the situation of human rights in Zimbabwe.
2 to specifically look into the situation of human rights defenders in Mauritania some of whom are denied registration by the government to facilitate their work.
Done in Banjul, April 26th, 2005
