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40 actions to celebrate ISHR’s 40th anniversary
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African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
The 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 14 May to 3 June 2024. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from the 11-13 May 2024.
What will happen during the NGO Forum and 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission?
The NGO Forum
The Forum on the Participation of NGOs in ordinary sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission), also known as the ‘NGOs Forum’ is an advocacy platform coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) to promote advocacy, lobbying and networking amongst and between human rights NGOs, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. 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.
This session will be hosted online. The theme in 2024 will be centred on education under: THE YEAR OF EDUCATION: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa”
Africa Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies
The Forum will deliberate on the following sub-themes:
The general content of the forum will cover three main thematic areas namely:
Status of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, updates from sub regional focal points on the general situation
Networking for Human Rights in Africa, adoption of strategies, best practices for contribution towards the attainment of peace, security, and development in Africa.
Special Interest Group Discussions, which will allow participants to identify recommendations to address challenges raised in panel discussions.
Panel discussions will revolve around 9 themes:
It is expected that the NGO Forum will achieve, amongst other goals:
The 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Panels and Launches (Item 4)
Consideration of State Periodic Reports (Item 8)
During this session, pursuant to Article 62 of the African Charter which imposes on States the obligation to report every two years on the legislative and other measures taken with a view to giving effect to the rights and freedoms recognised and guaranteed by the Charter, two countries will be reviewed:
Activity reports (item 6)
During every session, special mechanisms from the African Commission present their activity report. These reports catalogue the activities and initiatives undertaken by each mechanism inter-sessionally:
For the full programme, click here
What will ISHR do during this session?
During this session, ISHR will make several statements under Items 3 and 6:
What advocacy opportunities does the Commission offers?
Human Rights Situation in Africa
Under Item 3, civil society organisations with observer status have the possibility to make a statement highlighting specific issues relating to human rights enshrined in the African Charter. This opportunity can be used to call the attention of the Commission on a specific issue or even update the Commission on an issue brought to its attention previously.
Examination of Country Reports
Under article 62 of the African Charter, States are obliged to submit a report every two years on the legislative and other measures taken with a view to giving effect to the rights and freedoms recognised and guaranteed by the Charter. During the examination process, civil society organisations have the possibility to submit shadow reports ahead of the session during which countries will be reviewed to inform the Commission’s recommendations and provides states with guidance on how they can better implement their obligations. CSOs have thus the opportunity to constructively engage with the Commission and States on the realisation of human rights across the continent.
Country and Special Rapporteurs mandates
How can you follow the session?
14th May – 24th May 2024 : Public Session (Hybrid), Banjul, The Gambia
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3vx-y2XkTkOFnkox-U2XMg
3 June 2024: – Closing Ceremony (Public Session)
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3vx-y2XkTkOFnkox-U2XMg
3 June 2024: –Media Conference (Following Closing Ceremony-Public Session)
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3vx-y2XkTkOFnkox-U2XMg
ISHR will monitor and report on key developments at the 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission. Follow us on Twitter at @ISHRglobal, @ISHR_fr and at #ACHPR79. Our staff can also be followed @Adelaide_ISHR , @TMakunya, and @Chuku_angie
We are celebrating longstanding and collective efforts in supporting human rights defenders. Join us and find out more!
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