East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network

How to become a member.

There are three membership categories to which an organisation can belong and they are listed below together with the criteria for admission and the obligations of each member. The general considerations for an organisation to become a member of the Network are:

• Firm belief and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• Be operational within the East and Horn of Africa sub-region or work towards promotion and protection of human rights in the sub region;
• Be a non-partisan, non-governmental and non-profit organisation.

The three membership categories are:

1. Full member
2. Associate member
3. Honorary member

To qualify for any of the categories, the following are the requirements and also included are the rights and obligations of the member organisations.

1. Full member

The application is in writing and shall include the following:

• Recommendation from the relevant local and other authorities of the area in which the organisation’s headquarters are based;
• Copy of the constitution and work plan;
• Copy of the certificate of registration from the national authority and any other authorities of the area in which the organisation is operating;
• Proof that the organisation is engaged in activities compatible with the aims and objectives of the network.

The rights and obligations of a full member are:

• Participate in the proceedings and activities of the General Assembly with full voting rights;
• Elect or be elected to any organ or committee of the Network;
• Make use of the facilities of the Network as shall be determined by the General Assembly from time to time;
• Meet their financial obligations to the Network as shall be determined by the General Assembly from time to time;
• Be nominated or selected as representative in any undertakings of the Network.

2. Associate member

The application is in writing and shall include the following:

• Copy of the certificate of registration from the national authority and any other authorities of the area in which the organisation is operating;
• Proof that the organisation is engaged in activities compatible with the aims and objectives of the Network.

The rights and obligations of the associate member are:

• Participate in the proceedings and activities of the General Assembly but without voting rights;
• There exists no right to be elected to any organ or committee of the Network;
• Make use of the facilities of the Network as shall be agreed upon by the Advisory Council;
• Meet their financial obligations to the Network as shall be determined by the General Assembly from time to time;
• Be nominated or selected as representative in any of the undertakings of the Network.

3. Honorary member

Is by invitation of the Advisory Council only.

The following attributes are considered:

• Demonstrated interests, merits and support of the voluntary sector work;
• Commitment and inclination to quality of life transaction;
• Qualification and ability to serve as a Trustee;
• Commands high esteem in society;
• Ability to promote and protect the image of the Network in and outside the region.

The rights and obligations of the honorary member are:

• Not be eligible for election to become a director;
• Not having voting rights in the General Assembly and General Meetings;
• Be appointed by agreement on any committees of the Network to offer technical advice wherever applicable;
• Make use of the facilities of the Network as shall be determined by the Advisory Council;
• Be nominated or assigned as a representative to any of the undertakings of the Network.

It should be noted that aside from the obligations mentioned under each membership category, there are several other obligations that are expected to be fulfilled by all the Network members:

• The Network members are required to make periodic reports about their activities, the campaigns they are involved in and any other necessary information. This enables the secretariat to effectively coordinate activities;
• On a regular basis, provide the secretariat with country situation reports;
• Information about the Human Rights Defenders forced to leave their countries of origin and others who are under threat should also be regularly sent to the secretariat;
• When invited to do so, get involved in activities aimed at achieving the objective of the Network;
• Elect a Network focal person for their country;
• Inform the secretariat about changes in the individual member organisation’s administrative structure.

For more information, contact Tabitha Netuwa (Legal/Protection Officer) at [email protected]