PARTICIPATION OF NGOs IN THE 56TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS AND 30TH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS BOOKFAIR

fr Du 28/08/2014 au 13/10/2014

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NIAMEY

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10-12 OCTOBER, 2014 NIAMEY, REPUBLIC OF NIGER

INFORMATION BROCHURE

Introduction
The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) will organize the Forum on the Participation of NGOs (known as the NGOs Forum) in the 56th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the 30th African Human Rights Bookfair.

The Forum fosters closer collaboration and co-operation among NGOs, and with the African Commission for promotion and protection human rights in Africa ; provide a discussion platform for organizations working on democracy and human rights issues in the continent ; promote inter-regional and organizational networking for the implementation of decisions of the Forum as contained in the ACHPR Communiqué amongst others.

The last Forum held in Luanda, Republic of Angola from 24-26 April, 2014 preceding the 55th Ordinary Session of the African Commission. The Forum was a resounding success with over 200 participants, coming from civil society organization and NGOs in Africa and beyond.

At the end of the Forum, Resolutions and Recommendations were forwarded to the African Commission for its consideration during the 55th Ordinary Session.

The 30th African Human Rights Book Fair which will be held concurrently will enable NGOs network and initiate or renew, the exchange of materials and information, as well as to publicize their activities.

Objectives
The main objectives of the Forum are :
 to foster closer collaboration and co-operation between and among NGOs, and the African Commission for promotion and protection human rights in Africa ;
- to provide a discussion platform for organizations working on democracy and human rights issues in the continent ;
 to promote inter-regional/organizational networking for the implementation of decisions of the Forum as contained in the ACHPR Communiqué ;

Content
The Forum will cover three (3) main thematic areas namely :

Theme I : Status of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa

Theme II : Special Interest Groups

Theme III : Networking for Human Rights in Africa

A press conference will also be held at the end of the Forum to share the outcomes of the deliberations.

Panel Request
Partners wishing to submit request for panels/presentations should complete the panel request form and submit as soon as possible. Kindly read the ‘Information for participants on the setting of the NGO Forum agenda’ on the website. The panel request form could also be found on the Centre’s website.

Expected Outcomes
• Update on the situation of human rights in the continent, particularly countries whose state report will be examined at the 56th Session

• Report of the NGOs Forum and 30th African Human Rights Bookfair

• Adoption of Recommendations emanating from presentations and the working group discussions, which will be forwarded to the African Commission for its consideration during the 56th session

• Increased knowledge on the African human rights system, enhancing cooperation between the regional and international systems and mechanisms

• Enhanced information for participating NGOs to apply for observer status,

• Increased networking and advocacy opportunities

Language
The Forum will be conducted in English and French with simultaneous interpretation facilities.

Venue/Duration of the Forum
The three-day Forum would take place in Niamey, Republic of Niger from 10th – 12th October, 2014 while the Sessions of the African Commission would be held from 14th -28th October, 2014.

Visa
Participants are encouraged to make the necessary visa arrangements, where required, before departing from their respective countries for Niger. Where participants do not have Niger Diplomatic Representation in their countries of residence, the ACDHRS would endeavor to facilitate the issuance of visa on arrival to such participants, provided the ACDHRS is informed well in advance.

Accommodation
The African Centre would negotiate room rates on behalf of participants and forward such information to participants.

Application Deadline
Participants must register online no later than 15th September, 2014 in order to facilitate administrative and logistic arrangements. The African Centre is not obliged to process registration forms received after the deadline.

Please disseminate this information to your networks as widely as possible.