CHRDA picks key role at AU Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights.

In a letter addressed to the president of CHRDA and seen by The Guardian Post, the Executive Secretary of the rights Commission, Abiola Idowu-Ojo, wrote: “I have the honour to inform you that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, during its 79th Ordinary Session, held from 14 May to 03 June, 2024 in hybrid format in Banjul, Gambia considered your application and granted Observer Status to your Organisation, The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, under the reference No.OBS.567”. 

“Henceforth, your correspondence with the Secretariat of the Commission should carry this reference Number,” the commission chief said. 

“Kindly note that the Resolution on the criteria for granting and maintaining Observer Status to non-governmental organisations working on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa, adopted during the 77th Ordinary Session held in November 2023, stipulates that all NGOs that have Observer Status with the Commission ‘shall present their activity reports to the Commission every two years’ from the date of grant of Observer Status. Consequently, your initial Activity Report to the Commission is due for submission in May 2026,” Abiola Idowu-Ojo added.

Meanwhile, reacting to the feat of his organisation, the founder and president of CHRDA, Barrister Nkongho Felix, fondly referred to as Agbor Balla, said the new status of his institution, marks a turning point in the body’s battle to protecting the rights of persons in Cameroon and beyond.

He noted that: “This is an honour to CHRDA and a push for us to do more in the areas of human and peoples’ rights not only in Cameroon but also in Africa and beyond”.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ACHPR, it should be said, was established in accordance with Article 30 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The continental body with base in Banjul, The Gambia, has a mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights on the continent. It was officially inaugurated on November 2, 1987 and is the premier human rights monitoring body of the African Union, AU. 

In 2001, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ACHPR, established a Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa, WGIP, marking a milestone in the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa.

In 2003, the WGIP produced a comprehensive report on Indigenous Peoples in Africa which, among other things, sets out common characteristics that can be used to identify Indigenous communities in Africa. 

The report was adopted by the ACHPR in 2003 and was subsequently endorsed by the AU in 2005. The report represents the official position of the ACHPR, as well as that of the AU, on the concept and rights of Indigenous Peoples in Africa. 

The 2003 report serves as the basis for constructive engagement between the ACHPR and various stakeholders based inside and outside the continent, including states, national human rights institutions, NGOs, Indigenous communities and their organisations.

The continued participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives in the sessions of the ACHPR as well as in the various activities of the WGIP, which include sensitisation seminars, country visits, information activities and research, also plays a crucial role in ensuring and maintaining this vital engagement and dialogue.

In 2020, at the 66th Ordinary Session, the mandate of the WGIP was also renewed and expanded to include the rights of minorities.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No 3139 of Wednesday June 12, 2024