ACDHRS trains rights defenders on human rights mechanism

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) and its partners Saturday organized a two-day training workshop on Regional and International Human Rights Mechanisms, at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

Attended by delegates from all over Africa, the workshop was held on the margins of the Forum of NGOs to the 59th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR) and the 33rd African Human Rights Book Fair.

The principal objective of the training course was to familiarise and or consolidate participants’ knowledge and skills, on the relevant instruments for effective monitoring of human rights at the continental and international levels, with special emphasis on the use of the human rights systems and mechanisms available to them to better understand, as they engage in the fulfillment of their mandates to promote and protect human rights.

Speaking at the training session, Hannah Forster, ACDHRS Executive Director, said the training session would help equip them with the knowledge and skills to lobby the governments to domesticate and implement their commitments, and assist participants to frame a strategy as they seek redress for violations of human rights.

The training activity aimed at honing the knowledge and skills of the participants, particularly on the procedures for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa, in keeping with its mandate to promote and ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms through teaching, education and publication.

She since its inception in 1989, ACDHRS could boast of alumni from over 45 African countries.

“It has developed curriculum and delivered various training courses in line with its mandate, some based on request, tailor-made and carried out in-country.

“I must, however, confessed that the ACHPR, ISHR and OHCHR have been our partners in this endeavour of building the capacity of human rights workers to engage more effectively with the regional and international frameworks, from the very beginning,” she added.

Also speaking at the training session was Rumbidza Masango- ISHR Africa Human Rights Advocate, who said supporting the training workshop illustrates ISHR’s dedication to supporting the promotion and protection of human rights.

“We achieve this by supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, and leading and partnering in coalitions for human rights change.”

ISHR carries out a similar training in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was these skills, expertise and experience that they bring to this training workshop to share with the trainees, she added.

“ISHR believes in powerful partnerships for change. These partnerships range from HRDs networks, African commissioners to governments.”

She also told the training beneficiaries: “I hope the information shared can be applied effectively in your respective countries to bear fruit, and lead to the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.”