Recognizing the importance of fostering strong collaborations with national governments to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights, there was a sensitization exchange for key representatives of the Gambian Government by dignitaries of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) during the latter’s 79th Ordinary Session held on Saturday 1 June at the Bakadaji Hotel in Gambia.
The meeting was held within the framework of the ongoing 79th Ordinary Session. This exchange provided a platform for mutual understanding, knowledge-sharing, and the exploration of opportunities for further collaboration with the Commission’s host country.
The meeting introduced the work and mandate of the Commission to key government stakeholders in The Gambia. Participants discussed areas of potential collaboration between the Commission and the key Ministries and Officials of the Gambian Government in promoting and protecting human rights.
It was meant to address any questions or comments that the government representatives may have had regarding the Commission’s work and activities, and strengthen the partnership between the Commission and the key Ministries and Officials of the Gambian Government in advancing human rights in the country and the wider region as may be applicable.
Through the Sensitization Exchange, the Commission hopes to achieve several objectives. It hopes to achieve increased awareness and understanding among the key Ministries and Officials of the Gambian Government about the role, mandate, and working methods of the Commission; identify specific areas of collaboration between the Commission and the Government of The Gambia, leading to the development of joint initiatives or programs to promote and protect human rights.
By promoting enhanced communication and coordination between the Commission and the key Ministries and Officials of the Gambian Government, the initiative will foster a stronger partnership in advancing the human rights agenda in The Gambia and the broader African continent.
Commitment from the key Ministries and Officials of the Gambian Government to support the work of the Commission will facilitate its activities within the country
The Bureau, Commissioners of the ACHPR, and the Secretariat thanked all Excellencies of The Gambia, the Ministries of The Gambia, and all participating Partners in this vital exchange.
“Undoubtedly, safeguarding human rights is our collective responsibility. We hope that the discussions held in this forum will yield benefits for every citizen of The Gambia. The Commission remains steadfast in its mandate to promote, protect, and interpret human rights in Africa,” they said.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) is the first and oldest Organ of the African Union (AU), and the premier regional institution responsible for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa, as well as interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) – which is the normative framework on which the African human rights system is anchored.
The vision of the Commission is “an Africa characterized by respect for and observance of human rights, where the rights guaranteed by the Charter are known and advocated for by African people; and promoted, protected, respected and fulfilled by the State Parties and African people”; while its mission is “to promote, monitor and protect the human and peoples’ rights guaranteed in the African Charter”.
All of these fit squarely within the AU’s aspiration towards “an Africa of good governance, respect of human rights, justice and the rule of law”, as set out in Agenda 2063 (Aspiration 3), and quite pivotal for the achievement of its aspirations for “a peaceful and secure Africa” (Aspiration 4), “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development” (Aspiration 1), and “an Africa whose development is people- driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women, and youth, and caring for children” (Aspiration 6), amongst others.
