Pan African Human rights forum, 65th Ordinary session ACHPR opens in Banjul
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The 65th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and 39th African Human Rights Book Fair opened here Thursday.
The session, which also brings together non-governmental organizations (NGOs) known as the Human Rights forum, opened under the theme “Migration, Refugees and Asylum”.
The 2019 forum also marks the 50th OAU and 10th anniversary of the Kampala Convention.
Hannah Forster, Executive Director, African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), said the forum provided a platform for promoting human rights in Africa and had been instrumental on the African rights system.
“The agenda of the forum is to develop Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs through consultation with participants and stakeholders’ from all regions of Africa and beyond and a clear indication of our commitment on human rights,” she said.
Mahamane Cisse Gouro, Representative of the UN Commissioner on Human Rights, said the focus given to all civil, political, economic and cultural rights goals contained in the agenda violation was worth noting.
“Despite efforts of member-states, our continent is still gripped with violations; we need to work with CSOs in this field to improve the lives of people of this continent,” he added.
Soyata Maiga, Chairperson of the ACHPR, disclosed that the forum, which had been going on for years by African civil societies, was lending support to African commission and civil societies.
She explained that the contribution of NGOs was of great significance to this forum to release the vision and truth of human rights in their respective countries.
She said that after 12 years with the forum, her tenure had come to an end but said she would be available to join them in their work to “enable Africa progress in peace with respect for human rights”.
Hussaine Thomasi, special adviser to Attorney General of The Gambia, said serious and systematic violations of fundamental human rights, civil wars, natural and ecological disasters were global challenges within Africa and beyond.
-0- PANA MSS/RA 17Oct2019
