By: Mariama Njie
The Forum on the participation non-governmental organization NGOs known as the Human Rights forum and 65th Ordinary session of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and 39th African Human Rights Book Fair opened i Thursday.
The theme for 2019 is migration, refugees and asylum and it marks the 50th OAU and 10th anniversary of Kampala convention.
Hannah Forster, Executive Director African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) said the NGO forum provides a platform for a purpose of promoting human rights in Africa and the forum has been instrumental on the African rights system.
‘’The agenda of the forum is to develop Civil Society Organizations CSOs and NGOs through consultation with participants and stakeholders’ from all regions of Africa and beyond and a clear indication of our commitment on human rights,’’ she said.
Mr. Mahamane Cisse Gouro, Representative of the UN Commissioner on Human Rights, said the focus given to all civil, political economic and cultural rights goals contained in the agenda violation worth noting.
‘’Despite efforts of Member States our continent is still gripped with violations, we need to work with CSOs in this field to improve the lives of people of this continent’’, he added.
Soyata Maiga, Chairperson of ACHPR disclosed that the forum has been going on years by African cvil societies and lending support to African commission and Civil Societies.
She explained that, the contribution of NGOs is a great significant to this forum to release the vision and truth of human rights in their respective countries.
‘’12 years been with you, my tenure has come to an end by this session, but I will be available to join you in your work to enable Africa progress in peace with respect for human rights’’ she lamented.
Hussaine Thomasi, special Adviser to Attorney General of The Gambia, said that serious and systematic violations of fundamental human rights, civil wars, natural and ecological disasters are global challenges within Africa and beyond.