Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI)

The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) is the regional representative body that brings together the African National Human Rights Institutions. It seeks to support and strengthen NHRIs in Africa in terms of human rights protection, promotion, monitoring and advocacy, etc.

The Network was created following the signature of its Constitution during the 6th Conference of African National Human Rights Institutions, held in Kigali (Rwanda) in October 2007. It has a permanent operating Nairobi (Kenya)-based Secretariat that coordinates its activities. It is currently registered under Kenyan law as an independent legal entity.

NANHRI is a non-profit independent organization. It has four decision-making organs: the General Assembly, the Steering committee, the Accreditation Committee and the Bureau. The Secretariat is the executive organ of the Network.

MEMBERS

The network has 35 official members: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cape Verde, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia.

OBJECTIVES

According to article 2 of its Constitution, the general objectives of the Network are:

a. Encourage the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in conformity with the Paris Principles; 

b. Facilitate the coordination, strengthening and effectiveness of National Human Rights Institutions in Africa;

c. Encourage cooperation among National Human Rights Institutions and with intergovernmental and governmental institutions.

VISION 

An Africa where every country has a well functioning NHRI established in accordance with the Paris Principles contributing meaningfully to a continent characterized by human rights culture and justice for all.

MANDATE

To support, through national, sub-regional, regional and international co-operation, the establishment, strengthening and development of national human rights institutions in order to enable them to more effectively undertake their mandate of human rights monitoring, promotion, protection and advocacy.

THE PRESIDENCY OF THE (MOROCCAN) NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (EX CCDH)

The (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council has been chairing the Network since November 2009 (for a period of two years). It was elected president of Network during the 7th Conference of African NHRIs. This conference was organized by the (former) Advisory Council on Human Rights (CCDH) in Rabat from 3 to 5 November 2009 on "Peace and Justice: Role of National Human Rights Institutions". The Council proposed at the time a plan of action 2010-2011, in collaboration with the Network’s Permanent Secretariat. The plan aims to provide the Network with necessary instruments to make its missions effective and efficient, to become a dynamic player with key regional and international partners, including the ICC, and empower African NHRIs to have their influence on human rights policies.

This plan of action revolves around six points:

1. Improving the functioning of the Network;

2. Capacity building of NHRIs;

3. Consolidation of cooperation and interaction with regional and international organizations;

4. Development of a communication strategy;

5. Development of a fundraising strategy;

6. Establishment of working groups with thematic priorities including economic, social and cultural rights; human rights education and training; transitional justice; children’s rights; displaced persons, refugees and stateless persons and the fight against corruption.