Gambia: ACDHRS to host forum on participation of NGOs
By Own Correspondents – The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), in collaboration with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), would organise the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 48th ordinary session of the ACHPR and the 22nd African Human Rights Book Fair.
The event, which is expected to attract over 100 human rights activists from Africa and beyond, will be held from 7th to 9th November 2010 at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
The objective of the forum, which will precede the 48th ordinary session of the African Commission, also to be held in the Gambia from 10th to 24th November 2010, is to foster cooperation among and between NGOs, as well as with the African Commission with a view to promoting and protecting human rights in Africa.
The first theme on “Overview of Human Rights Situation in Africa” will examine the present situation of human rights on the continent, as well as identify strategies in addressing emerging issues.
There will be panel discussions and or presentations on the following issues: Women as a Critical Force in Democratic Governance; Civil Society Advocacy Tactics on Reforming Legal Framework.
The second theme on “special interest groups” will discuss, among others, issues relating to torture in Africa; the situation of refugees and internally displaced persons in Africa; freedom of expression in Africa; the situation of women’s rights; prison conditions; rights of children; and the death penalty in Africa.
The final theme will be on “networking for human rights”, which will focus on challenging impunity: the legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) for Rwanda and for the African continent. Testimonies will also be heard from victims of human rights violations.
The African Centre’s 22nd African Human Rights Book Fair will run concurrently with the forum, and the Commission’s public session.
The objective of the book fair is to give human rights NGOs the opportunity to share their materials with other NGOs, and to promote networking of human rights organizations on the continent and beyond.
Experts in the field of human rights and democracy on the continent will act as resource persons and facilitators during the forum. At the end of the three-day forum, resolutions and recommendations will be forwarded to the African Commission for consideration during its 48th session.
