published on 21 April “KUMULIKA – THE AFRICAN COMMISSION MONITOR” which describes the NGO Forum that was held from 17-19 April prior to the 56th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). It involved close to 200 civil society participants from the continent. As usual. the NGO Forum followed the practice of holding a series of panel discussions combined with smaller special interest discussion groups, over the course of which recommendations and resolutions were developed to put to the Commission at the upcoming session. You can find more detail in that Newsletter but some key elements are:
Posts Tagged ‘african region’
NGO Forum preceding the April session of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
April 22, 2015Events in memory of Alison Des Forges at Buffalo University
April 19, 2015
Alison Des Forges (1942-2009) was a well-known human rights defender and one of the world’s leading experts on the Rwandan genocide. She was senior adviser of Human Rights Watch at the time of her death in the crash of Continental flight 3407. HRW named its human rights award after her [see: http://www.brandsaviors.com/thedigest/award/alison-des-forges-award-extraordinary-activism]. Now the Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Committee in her native Buffalo (NY) is organizing three events in Buffalo on 23 and 24 April 2015 with as focus “Islam, Islamism, and Human Rights in Africa”:
- An international symposium on April 23 featuring talks by university researchers and representatives of human rights organizations working in Africa. This event is free and open to the public.
- A scholarship dinner and discussion on April 23. [reservation is required, and tickets are $100 per person. Proceeds go to the Alison Des Forges Memorial Scholarships]
- A community roundtable on April 24, where university researchers will reflect on the previous day’s symposium topics: “The Interplay of Politics, Religion, Terrorism, Modernity and Human Rights”.
“In an effort to address issues of intense public concern, these events will explore in depth the recent rise of violent extremist groups in Africa,” said Dussourd, co-chair of the Alison L. Des Forges Memorial Committee. “In so doing, we will go beyond sensational media headlines to the historical roots of this phenomenon as we examine groups such as Boko Haram, Seleka and Al-Shabaab.”
For information about the events contact Ellen Dussourd dussourd@buffalo.edu)
Joseph Bikanda, Coordinator of Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network, has the floor
April 16, 2015The Newsletter of International Service for Human Rights in Geneva gave on 2 April 2015 the floor to Joseph Bikanda, the Coordinator of the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRDN), a Network made up of 5 sub-regional networks of human right defenders (HRDs), including the East and Horn of Africa, the Central, the West, the Southern and the North African HRDs Networks.
Joseph first became involved in human rights as a university student. A group of students needed a voice to advocate on their behalf. Joseph became that voice. In doing so, Joseph learnt about human rights mechanisms existing at the time. ‘I found myself surrounded by the human rights world and knew that it was the right place for me. Since then I have been working in human rights in various capacities.’
Joseph stated that PAHRDN’s key focus is to strengthen the capacity and provide support to regional networks, civil society organisations and HRDs. ‘You are always stronger working together in a network, and if each element of the network is more capable and works together – you are even stronger’
‘..Regional and international human rights mechanisms support HRDs, but networks such as PAHRDN are essential to create local supporting mechanisms for HRDs’.. Joseph explains that PAHRDN has established local mechanisms to ‘fill the gap as best we can’. These mechanisms include providing emergency support, lawyers, trial observation and practical support for HRDs.
‘One of our key roles is to provide support for HRDs in emergency situations when they are being harassed, targeted or when their lives are in danger. We have also created urgent mechanisms which apply pressure to perpetrators of human rights abuses.’
Joseph commented on the essential role that HRDs played in initiating the development of the law for the protection of HRDs in Côte d’Ivoire. He shared his hope that each African country develops similar laws in the near future and, in particular, that each of those laws is effectively implemented. ‘I hope to see HRDs develop further as key actors combatting corruption and promoting transparency. Involving HRDs in decisions ensures that the views of civil society are raised and considered.’
In his discussion with ISHR, Joseph identified that his primary objectives of attending the March session of the Human Rights Council were to raise awareness of – the horrific situation in Burundi, in particular the persecution of journalists and HRDs; the continued fighting in South Sudan and the abduction of children for combat; and the concerning counter terrorism laws in Cameroon and Ethiopia, which lack differentiation between defenders and terrorists.
You can follow Joseph Bikanda on Twitter at @Bikjo.
Joseph Bikanda: Coordinator of Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network | ISHR.
Austria and Netherlands pledge €1.35 million to African human rights defenders
February 16, 2015World Bulletin News (from Turkey) reports on 13 February about the Dutch and Austrian governments funding a three-year project to support African human rights defenders. One always wonders why this kind of information pops up in one news source but not in others. Read the rest of this entry »
Call for Nominations 2014 African Human Rights Defenders Awards
September 4, 2014Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRD–Net) has opened a call for nominations for the 2nd Edition of its human rights defenders awards. The awards will honor exceptional individuals who peacefully promote and protect universally recognized rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Altogether six awards will be presented, one overall award and five sub-regional awards:
– Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Award
– East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Award
– West Africa Human Rights Defenders Award
– Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Award
– Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Award
– Northern Africa Human Rights Defenders Award
Both individuals and organizations are eligible for the award. Nominations should be received not later than 20 September 2014.
Please use the following forms [CONTROL/CLICK] : English | French
Submissions can be made in Arabic, French, English or Portuguese. Return your nomination to hrdawards@defenddefenders.org.
Awards include support to the human rights work of the winning individual or organisation. The winners will be selected by an independent jury and the awards will be presented to the winners at the occasion of the Ordinary Session of the Africa Commission on Human and People’s Rights
http://www.defenddefenders.org/
for more on human rights awards see: http://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/awards
Protection international seeks French-speaking Regional Programme officer based in Nairobi
March 27, 2014Brussels-based Protection International [PI] is looking for a Regional Programme officer based in Nairobi, Kenya – French-speaking. PI is an international non-profit organization researching strategies and security management tools that protect human rights defenders and sharing its expertise in this area with people at risk for their human rights work all around the world. PI sees human rights defenders as agents of change who form a pillar of free and just societies. In many parts of the world, HRDs face threats from state and non-state actors for their human rights work. PI works with human rights defenders to develop strategies tailored to their profile and context.
The Role
PI Regional Programme officer is responsible for implementing PIs work in the region of the East and Horn of Africa and the wider African continent (except DRC) under supervision of the Representative. The RPO will have a focus (but not work exclusively) on French-speaking African countries. The PI RPO is part of a team of four, based in Nairobi. (S)he travels regularly in the region and occasionally beyond.
Key responsibilities:
Capacity Building
1. To accompany partners in building their capacity to manage their security and protect their sources and the people whose rights they defend;
2. to propose improvement of PI’s capacity building approach and tools with an eye for the specific requirements of local, national and regional context;
3. To actively monitor and evaluate change, positive or negative.
Research
1. Undertake research on issues related to the way HRDs protect themselves, the State and its duty to protect and the ways of other actors with a stake in the protection of HRD;
2. To capture lessons learnt and best practices in HRD protection in suitable formats and share within PI for internal learning and strategic use with external stakeholders.
Lobby and advocacy
1. To contribute to the development of advocacy activities and documents in coordination with the PI Representative;
2. To liaise with other regional, national and/or local HRDs organisations with a view to establishing or reinforcing relationships and possibly developing partnerships;
3. To undertake advocacy activities before national, regional and international authorities;
4. To liaise with NGOs, international organisations and bodies working in the region on the protection of human rights defenders.
Monitoring and evaluation
1. To analyse the situation of HRDs and HROs at risk in EHA and other sub regional countries covered by the project and provide security advice;
2. To collaborate and prepare reports for the PI Representative on programmatic and thematic topics;
3. Monitor and evaluate PI projects and partners with a view to document and learn from the process.
General responsibilities
1. To contribute to the timely update of the organisation security plan and abide by it;
2. To keep abreast of the political situation in the country and contribute to the organizational political analysis.
Skills and experience (selection)
- University degree in law, human rights, political science, social sciences or related field;
- Experience in human rights work of at least 3 years;
- Experience in the practical delivery of training preferably adult learning;
- Experience with local human rights organisations and human rights issues;
- Field mission experience;
Location: The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travels in the sub-region of the East and Horn of Africa.
Languages: Fluency in spoken and written French and English are a precondition. Kiswahili will be positively valued.
The offer: One-year, renewable contract with six month probation period. Contract conform Kenyan labour law. Competitive remuneration
To apply for the position please send your resume, cover letter and names and contact details of 3 references before 4 April 2014 to the following email: ikihara[at]protectioninternational.org. Include your name in the file name of your application documents, e.g. John_Smith_CV.doc. Do not attach any certificates or references at this stage of the recruitment process. Include the following subject line in your email: Application for PI Regional Programme Officer EHA.
Further information about the activities of Protection International can be obtained from http://www.protectioninternational.org. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
