CNDH re-elected to chair the francophone association of national human rights institutions
The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) was re-elected by the General Assembly of the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions (AFCNDH), on October 29, 2015, in Dakar, to chair the network of national human rights institutions in French-speaking countries, for third consecutive term.
The Haitian Office for the Protection of Citizens and the National Human Rights Commission of Mauritius were appointed Vice President and Treasurer of the Association, respectively. The French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights was reappointed as Secretary General of the Association.
The AFCNDH held its 5th Conference in Dakar on 28-29 October: “NHRIs and Monitoring of Places of Deprivation of Liberty: Standards, Good Practices & Challenges
Mr. Driss El Yazami, CNDH President, chaired the Association’s General Assembly. In his remarks, he said that the Association faced some structural issues, particularly at financial and administrative levels, which prevented it from fully implementing its plan of action. “Hence the need for a secretariat that rests on solid foundations”, he said.
Mr. El Yazami suggested in his remarks a meeting of the Association with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) to discuss its participation in international events such as COP21 in Paris and contribution to implementing the sustainable development objectives.
The AFCNDH is a network of 31 national human rights institutions in French-speaking countries. It encourages the establishment of NHRI, supports them, and helps strengthen their capacities. It provides technical assistance to its member institutions and ensures regular follow-up. Two new members joined the Association in 2015, namely the National Human Rights Commissions of Guinea-Conakry and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Under CNDH’s chairmanship, the AFCNDH carried out several activities to strengthen the capacities of the NHRIs of Mali, the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Comoros, Gabon, Mauritania and Chad. The Association held meetings and workshops on human rights, the Universal Periodic Review and the rights of the child. It held several advocacy activities with State authorities to sensitize States about the role of NHRIs, the importance of their capacity building and the need to have them conform to the Paris Principles.