Human
Rights Defenders in Africa and across the world have been protected with a set
of laws catalogued in a document called ‘Model Law for the Recognition and
Protection of Human Rights Defenders’.
The
law document was yesterday launched at the Kairaba Beach Hotel at a side event
of the 59th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’
Rights under way in The Gambia.
The
law was launched at the African level to provide space for Human Rights
Defenders (HRDs) from countries where the HRD protection law has been enacted
or in the process of enactment, to share their experiences.
Defenders
shared their West African experiences and lessons learnt of on-going
initiatives of national protection laws.
The
Ivorian case was featured on how women HRDs are also protected in their law.
Defenders
from other countries like Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo also
shared their experiences, followed by comments and questions from defenders
from other countries like South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, among others.
Speakers
and panellists at the launching included Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gonsav,
Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders; Ms Marthe Pedan Coullibaly of
Coalition Ivorianne des Defenders des Droits Humains (CIDDH), Mr Wodjo Fini
Traore, Vice President of National Human Rights Commission of Cote d’Ivoire
(CNDHCI); Ms Mary Pais da Silva, Assistant Legal Adviser of Africa Programme
International Commission of Justice, and
Mr Clement Voule, African Advocacy director and
programme manager (States in
Transition, ISHR).
Speaking
to the media after the launching, Mr Clement Voule of ISHR, one of the authors
of the document, said that as the African Union celebrates the year of human
rights – with a particular focus on women’s rights – it is pertinent to
recognise that legal recognition and protection of HRDs is a key element contributing
to a safe and enabling environment for their work.
He
said: “In order to encourage States to enact national laws in line with the
declaration on HRDs, a national Model Law for the promotion and protection of
HRDs was developed in consultation with over 500 defenders and endorsed by 27
of the world’s leading human rights experts.
“It
provides authoritative technical guidance to policymakers and legislators and
is a powerful advocacy and accountability tool for advocates.”
The
Model Law recognises and protects the safety and rights of such defenders as
human rights advocates, human rights activists, legal practitioners and justice
operators, judicial representatives, journalists and media persons or workers,
trade unionists, social workers, and health workers.
