The event, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, was convened alongside the 43rd African Rights Book Fair.
The NGOs Forum, officially termed the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), acts as a pivotal advocacy platform facilitated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies.
Its core objective lies in bolstering advocacy, lobbying, and networking efforts among human rights NGOs to advance the cause of human rights across Africa.
By disseminating updates on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law at both local and global levels, the forum empowers the African and international NGO community to assess prevailing challenges and devise effective strategies for addressing them.
Participants, who comprised representatives from African Civil Society Organizations, alongside International NGOs operating within Africa and beyond, focused on democracy, rule of law, governance, human rights, peace, and security. Additionally, a pool of resource persons enriched the panels with valuable expertise.
The forum's objectives encompass sharing updates on the human rights landscape in Africa by both African and international NGO communities, with a focus on identifying responses and formulating strategies to promote and safeguard human rights across the continent.
Moreover, it also seeks to enhance collaboration among NGOs operating within the African Commission and other human rights mechanisms across Africa, aimed at fostering stronger partnerships and collective action towards advancing human rights.
The forum thematic priorities include ensuring equitable access to education for sustainable development; addressing unconstitutional changes of government; promoting human rights education in Africa; enhancing access to digital technology across the continent; and fostering democracy and the rule of law.
At the closing ceremony of the NGO forum, Hanna Foster, executive director of the ACDHRS, reminded that it's widely acknowledged that while states bear the primary responsibility for promoting and protecting human rights, safeguarding these rights is a shared duty.
Thus, she said it's imperative for everyone, everywhere, at all times, to uphold and defend human rights.
“Undoubtedly, civil society has been relentless in its endeavors, actively contributing to the realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. This concerted effort complements the initiatives of governments and other stakeholders.”
The ACDHRS boss further extends gratitude to the Open Society Foundations (OSF) for sponsoring select participants, UNOWAS and UN-OHCHR/WARO for interpretation services, and UN-OHCHR/EARO for covering accommodation costs. She equally acknowledged the support of organisations towards the less privileged for their collaboration.
Vice Chairperson Janet Sallah Njie of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, recommended that CSOs engage in ongoing dialogues with the African Commission to ensure the implementation of recommendations.
She also proposed that in future NGO forums, organisers should dedicate a panel specifically to address the implementation of recommendations, rulings, and judgments from the ECOWAS court.
