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Human rights defenders law: challenges, opportunities and experiences

Location: ,
Date:

​Wednesday 6 April 2016

13.30-14.30

Kairba Beach Hotel, Banjul

Read the event flyer / Lire le flyer de l'événement en FRANCAIS

Background

In June 2014 Côte d’Ivoire enacted a law that will strengthen the protection of human rights defenders. The Law on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Defenders was adopted by the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire on 11 June. It is the first time an African State has enacted a law with the specific purpose of protecting human rights defenders and comes at a time when many other African States are developing laws and policies which restrict rather than enable their work.

In 2012, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights recommended that the country adopt such legislation, while the UN Human Rights Council, of which Côte d’Ivoire is a member, has called on States to enact specific laws to support human rights defenders and protect them from intimidation and reprisals

With 2016 being the African Union year for human rights, this panel seeks to inspire and motivate NGOs, national human rights institutions and African governments present at the African Commission to encourage their respective States to develop similar legislation.

Objective

The objective is to provide a space to share and discuss Côte d’Ivoire’s HRD law as a measure to protect HRDs. It should be seen as a start on which we can build. Participants will be given an understanding of the history of the law and what was entailed for it to be passed, together with a status update on the implementation decree. The event will also provide a forum to share strategies, learnings and opportunities so that other countries can follow.

Panelists
  • Ms Pedan Marthe Coulibaly - Coalition Ivoirienne des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CIDDH)
  • Mr Banhouman André Kamate - Human Rights Promotion Director, Côte d’Ivoire Ministry of Human Rights
  • Mr Diaby Bakary Sidick - Côte d’Ivoire National Human Rights Commission
  • Ms Mélanie Kombate - West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
Moderator
  • Mr Clément Voulé - ISHR Africa Advocacy Director

Follow the event on Twitter: #ACHPR58 @ISHRglobal