You can collaborate and coordinate with other NGOs and civil society groups to amplify and strengthen your advocacy and engagement with the African Commission, including without physically going to Banjul. Building support and collaboration with other NGOs is an excellent way to scale your impact, but it can also help you navigate the system if you are new to the space. Each NGO has a particular area of specialisation and can be useful in working on specific human rights thematics or issues. Finally, please note that some of them might provide financial or technical support regarding engagement at the African Commission.
Also, note that campaigns related to the work of the African Commission are really important to amplify your calls and ensure sustained visibility to your work. See some examples here from the Center for Human Rights, University of Pretoria to get inspired or to participate further!
The Arusha Initiative is a civil society coalition working to strengthen the efficiency and independence of the African human rights system. It works in favour of civil society participation in the selection processes of the members of three African human rights mechanisms: the African Commission, the African Court, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. ISHR also participates in the Arusha Initiative, named after the city of Arusha (Tanzania), home of the African Court. You can find more information on the Arusha Initiative here and here.
The Article 59 campaign calls for greater transparency and accountability on the part of the African Commission in its proceedings. At the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission, advocacy from civil society, including from ISLA (Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa) successfully added Article 59 on the agenda, holding a panel and drawing attention to the question. ISLA has nonetheless pointed out the challenges, including political, in ensuring the African Commission’s independence and transparency and pushing back against regression on these questions, notably the lack of an appeals' procedure to contest decisions that undermine the African Commission’s independence and to defend the institution.
Finally, you will find here a list of prominent international and African NGOs working with the African Commission and on human rights across Africa. Do not hesitate to contact them!
For specific support related to reprisals against human rights defenders in Africa, please see the section on Security on the ISHR Academy.
Now turn to the next section to test yourself on how much you've learned!
