EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK

Abuja: EHAHRD-Net calls for an end to impunity in the sub-region in its statement to the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) will today be making a public intervention at the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), in which it will offer an overview of the current human rights situation in its sub-region of concern highlighting in particular the reality facing human rights defenders.

EHAHRD-Net’s statement will focus on Somalia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya and Eritrea, countries which have experienced significant violations of the rights of human rights defenders over the course of the last six months.

In its recommendations to the ACHPR, EHAHRD-Net will stress the importance of establishing independent and impartial accountability mechanisms throughout the sub-region as a key step on the road to ending human rights violations and ensuring the protection of human rights defenders.

The statement also places specific emphasis on the need for the ACHPR to use its influence in order to guarantee that current restrictions on freedom of the media and expression are brought to an immediate end.

Please find the statement below.

For further information please contact:

Ms. Laetitia Bader, Human Rights Officer at +256-775-141756 or call Mr. Hassan
Shire Sheikh, EHAHRD-Net Chairperson at +234 8060797477.