CHRI hosts the inaugural Commonwealth Human Rights Forum

In a move that augurs well for human rights in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in association with the Legal Resources Consortium and the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, hosted the first ever Commonwealth Human Rights Forum in Abuja on December 3-4, 2003. The two day event, held at the Rockview Hotel and supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Commonwealth Foundation and the British Council, was successful at enhancing the exchange of information and expertise among human rights groups in the Commonwealth.

The Forum brought together 260 representatives from non-governmental organisations and national human rights institutions from Africa and elsewhere in the Commonwealth. It provided a platform for discussion on serious issues related to the Commonwealth, with Zimbabwe becoming a major focal point. Other issues raised include the impact of anti terrorism measures on human rights; access and participation; poverty; and impunity. Of note was the universal agreement that a mechanism is needed to monitor the commitments made by Commonwealth member governments, and that proper civil society participation in official Commonwealth activities must be ensured.

Out of the Forum also came a stronger mandate for Commonwealth Human Rights Network (CHRN), a joint NGO initiative established by CHRI, the Association of Commonwealth Amnesty International Sections and the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit. The CHRN will enhance the work of civil society groups working for human rights in Commonwealth countries. This includes collectively pushing human rights in the Commonwealth; sharing of information and collaboration between the diverse groups; combined advocacy efforts, for instance regarding monitoring of commitments made by the Commonwealth and member countries; and capacity building to increase use of the Commonwealth for human rights advocacy.

The two day event was chaired by Sam Okudzeto, Member of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Advisory Commission, Ghana. In his welcome address Olawale Fapohunda, Managing Partner of Legal Resources Consortium, Nigeria outlined the uniqueness of the event in that it was the first time such a meeting of National Human Rights Institutions and human rights NGOs had been convened, and the objectives of the forum. Also in the Opening Session, Bukhari Bello, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria summarised some of the key issues before the Commonwealth, and a representative of Chief Akin Olunjinmi, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, pledged the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to human rights and its numerous obligations under applicable international instruments. Maja Daruwala, Executive Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative outlined the history of the meeting and the aims and objectives of bringing people together to discuss human rights in the Commonwealth, how these could be realized and how the forum can work together to ensure that it materialised. She also urged the participants to reflect seriously on the contents of the Commonwealth Declarations on human rights, with a view to articulating strategies to ensure practical realisation of these rights.

Click here to view full report of the proceedings.

In the final session there was a discussion on the Communiqué, led by Maja Daruwala (CHRI), Ced Simpson (ACAIS) and Olawale Fapohunda (LRC). A draft communiqué was presented to the plenary and discussed by all. Following discussion, the final communiqué was agreed to by the participants. The preamble of the Communiqué recalled that the Commonwealth is as much an association of peoples as it is of states: for the Commonwealth to be seen to be relevant to the needs of its more than 1.7 billion people it must take the lead in eradicating prejudice, ignorance, disease and poverty. It affirmed that the business of the Commonwealth is the realisation of all human rights for all people, and that this is our Common Wealth.