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CSO Strategy to Promote Child Rights at the ACHPR 

CSO Strategy to Promote Child Rights at the ACHPR . African Children’s Charter Project /Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) . Scope of the discussion . Background Complementary role of ACHPR Role of CSOs to promote CR at ACHPR Recommended strategy for CSOs.

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CSO Strategy to Promote Child Rights at the ACHPR 

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  1. CSO Strategy to Promote Child Rights at the ACHPR  African Children’s Charter Project /Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA)

  2. Scope of the discussion • Background • Complementary role of ACHPR • Role of CSOs to promote CR at ACHPR • Recommended strategy for CSOs

  3. Background • ACERWC is the primary AU body responsible for implementation of the ACRWC, • Other AU human rights institutions play complementary role (ACHPR, ACtHPR…) • The 2011 AU “Regional Human Rights Strategy” • need to mainstream child rights in the work of other AU bodies /role of CSOs/ • ACHPR is envisaged to play greater complementary role in the protection and promotion of child rights.”

  4. BACKGROUND (Contd…) African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights /ACHPR/ • The first and oldest African human rights mechanism (est in 1987) • Implementation of the African Charter HPR • Protective & promotion mandate • Banjul based Secretariat • Communications Procedure • State reporting • Promotional & Fact finding visits • NGOs & NHRs observer status

  5. child rights at the ACHPR • The African Charter relevant specific provisions on children’s rights /art 17 rt to educ &18 protection to family / • No significant role played by the ACHPR in responding to child rights issues • None of the main activities of the Commission children’s rights played a major role. (state reporting, communications, resolutions, country visit etc) • Lack of children’s voices

  6. child rights at the ACHPR(contd.) • Commission has issued approximately over 190 decisions on communications and none regard children’s rights • no children’s rights communications have been submitted the ACHPR • Periodic Reports of states to the Commission only briefly mention children’s rights /on Article 17 & 18)

  7. CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AT ACHPR (Contd.) • The Commission’s official missions to states often report briefly on children’s rights but rarely in a systematic manner • The Commission has created 18 Special Mechanisms, including special rapporteurs, working groups, and committees, but none of these focus on children’s rights.

  8. CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AT ACHPR (Contd.) • ACHPR resolution (2009 ) - “formal relationship” between the Commission and the Committee - designated the Special Rapporteure on Women's’ Rights to collaborate on child rights work in Africa

  9. Recommended Strategy for the CSOs 1) Observer Status before the ACHPR • Children’s rights CSOs need to secure observer status at the Commission. • Facilitates direct access to the ACHPR - statements - submitting reports - challenge state reports - work with the special mechnisms (special rapporteures, working groups etc) • How to apply for observer status (see www.achpr.au.org)

  10. Recommendations (contd) 2) Technical support to ACHPR • score cards CSOs create a short scorecard for each country that can be submitted to the Commission to use for country reports, site visits, and other purposes. • legal officer/focal person at the secretariat

  11. Recommendations(contd.) 3) Representation at the ACHPR sessions • CSOs must support grassroots child rights NGOs from across the Continent to attend the sessions (a travel fund should be created ) • Travel fund

  12. RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTD.) 4) Child participation at the ACHPR • CSOs need to bring children’s voices to the African Commission and its sessions • Children should be encouraged and mentored to make presentations in front of the Commission • Performances by children at ACHPR sessions • Special panels at the NGO Forum on the ACHPR

  13. RECOMMENDATIONS (CONTD.) 5) Working with Commissioners & ACHPR Secretariat • CSOs need to develop a sustained dialogue with the Commissioners and the Secretariat. • Working relationship with special rapporteures, working groups • Familiarize thematic & country mandated of commissioners • Advocate for broader discussion on state reporting to cover the child rights provisions of the African Charter HPR ..reflect on compliance with the ACRWC • Design a systematic engagement with the special rapporteure on women’s rights .

  14. Recommendations(contd.) 6) Engaging with NGOs/CSOs working with ACHPR - strategic & systematic manner - thematic & country - litigation - shadow report OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WELCOME!!

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