The NGOs Forum shares updates on the human rights situation in Africa by the African and international NGOs community with a view of identifying responses as well as adopting strategies towards the promotion and protection of human rights in the continent. The continent continues to grapple with military coup d’états from Chad, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Sudan (in 2021) and the February, 2022 failed coup attempt in Guinea Bissau which continue to have a negative impact on governance, democracy and human rights on the continent. However, some progress was registered in some countries (with 13 countries that organized national elections in 2021), despite the Covid19 pandemic. Human rights violations continue to take place on daily basis with impunity. Two years after declaring the year of ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa’, the guns are yet to be silent. The determination of the African Union to achieve the goal of a conflict-free Africa, to make peace a reality for all people and to rid the continent of wars, civil conflicts, human rights violations, humanitarian disasters and violent conflicts, and to prevent genocide is yet to be achieved. The role of civil society representatives as stakeholders in identifying solutions to some of these challenges cannot be overemphasized. Due to the current Covid19 pandemic, the last NGOs Forum was held virtually from 10-12 November, 2021 with over 100 participants on the theme ‘40 years of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights:: the way forward for the Africa we want’. The Forum also witnessed the launching of the Lusophone Platform for Human Rights as a sub-regional focal point (for Lusophone speaking countries in Africa) to enhance their engagement with the African human rights system and mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the NGOs Forum is mainly to foster closer collaboration between and among NGOs and with the African Commission and other African human rights mechanisms, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.
The NGOs Forum will facilitate discussion with stakeholders strategies for the promotion and protection of human rights, good governance, peace and development in post Covid19 Africa, with emphasis on the implementation of Resolution on ‘Human and Peoples’ Rights as central pillar of successful response to Covid-19 and recovery from its socio-political impacts – ACHPR/Res. 449 (LXVI) 2020’ adopted at the 66th virtual Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in 2020.
In addition, the NGOs Forum, through the organization of a Panel will seek to increase the visibility of the United Nations Torture Fund and United Nations Slavery Fund with a view to assisting slavery and torture survivors and strengthening partnership, amongst others.
An investigative report by Minorities Rights Group (MRG) entitled ‘To purge the Forest by Force on the negative and devastating impact of a new form of colonialism. Information on the said report will be shared during the NGOs Forum to highlight the new form of colonialism known as ‘green colonialism’ on the Batwa community in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following a three-year campaign by park authorities to expel them from their lands.
Recommendations from the two-day event will be forwarded to the African Commission as the contribution of African civil society to the work of the 71st Ordinary session of the ACHPR.
Theme II: Special Interest Groups: Participants will be divided into three (3) working groups, each group will evaluate the impact and implementation of the African Charter since its adoption, their engagement in the implementation of the African Charter (identifying registered successes, challenges and recommendations on the way forward.)
Theme III: Networking for Human Rights: This session will focus on the engagement and cooperation among and between regional networks with a view of enhancing such cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. A panel discussion will also be organized on engagement with the African human rights system and mechanisms.
Status of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa
Special Interest Groups Discussions
Networking for Human Rights in Africa
Languages:
Participants:
VENUE
Expected Outcomes
- - Update on the situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Africa (especially from States whose reports will be examined during the 71st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR)
- - Adopted recommendations as outcome documents for presentation to the ACHPR
- - NGOs Statement at the official opening of the 71st Ordinary Session (highlighting deliberations of the NGOs Forum)
- Report of the NGOs Forum
Visa:
Accommodation:
REGISTRATION FREE
PANEL FEES
Administrative Fees for side events:
However, if the African Centre is informed of the organization of the side event only for its information, then the Partner would not be required to pay the administrative fee.
Please disseminate this information to your networks as widely as possible
