The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) has been granted observer status by the African Union’s Human and People’s Rights Commission.
The President of CHRDA, Barrister Agbor Felix Nkongho (Balla), expressed his elation at the recognition, highlighting the honour it brings to the organisation and its mission.
“This is an honour to CHRDA and a push for us to do more in the areas of human and people’s rights, not only in Cameroon but also in Africa and beyond,” Barrister Balla stated.
The accreditation was issued on June 6, 2024, following the 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, held from May 14 to June 3, 2024, in a hybrid format in Banjul, Gambia.
The Executive Secretary of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, Abiola Idowu-Ojo, signed the official letter confirming CHRDA’s new status.
In his communication to CHRDA regarding their application for observer status, the Commission’s Executive Secretary wrote:
“I have the honour to inform you that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), during its 79th Ordinary Session, held from May 14 to June 3, 2024, in a hybrid format in Banjul, Gambia, considered your application and granted Observer Status to your organisation, The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, under Reference No. OBS.567. Henceforth, your correspondence with the Secretariat of the Commission should carry this reference number.”
She further highlighted the requirements for maintaining this status, including the presentation of activity reports every two years:
“Kindly note that the Resolution on the Criteria for Granting and Maintaining Observer Status to Non-Governmental Organisations Working on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa (ACHPR/Res. 572 (LXXVII) 2023), adopted during the 77th Ordinary Session held in November 2023, stipulates that all NGOs that have Observer Status with the Commission ‘shall present their activity reports to the Commission every two years’ from the date of grant of Observer Status. Consequently, your initial activity report to the Commission is due for submission in May 2026.”
Gaining observer status allows CHRDA, although not a member of the commission, the privilege to participate in the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights activities.
This platform will enable CHRDA to have a more significant impact on human rights advocacy and policy-making across the continent.
The organisation is well-regarded for its documentation of human rights violations, particularly in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, where the organisation has been at the forefront of reporting and advocating against atrocities.
