The Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), Hon. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, has called for a strengthened collaboration between CSOs and the Commission.
Remy Ngoy Lumbu asserted that CSOs, such as WADEMOS, play a crucial role in helping the Commission implement its mandate of safeguarding the human rights of all across the sub-region.
To this end, the ACHPR Chairperson entreated WADEMOS to remain consistent with and focused on its work on human rights in the sub-region, adding that it is a pre-requisite for building a strong relationship with the Commission.
He made these comments at a side event organized by WADEMOS and Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) at the ongoing 81st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in Banjul, The Gambia.
The event focused on sharing insights from a recently published report by the Gender Center for Empowering Development (GenCED) and funded by WADEMOS, which spotlighted the experiences of human rights defenders in West Africa.
Remy Ngoy Lumbu disclosed that in the 40 years of the Commission’s existence, it has only successfully about 1000 cases, most of which have been spearheaded by CSOs. He thus emphasized the need for WADEMOS and other CSOs to undergo training to understand the processes of bringing or reporting cases to the Commission and enable Network better interact with the appropriate mechanisms.
