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.”
