28 May, 2016
IHRDA, as member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Study Group on Freedom of Association and Assembly (FOAA), is attending an Experts Consultation Meeting on the Draft Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa, taking place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, from 27 – 29 May, 2016.
In 2011, the FOAA was created as a mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, to assess the situation of freedom of association and assembly on the continent and make recommendations. Following the publication of the Report of the Study Group on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa available http://www.achpr.org/files/special-mechanisms/human-rights-defenders/report_of_the_study_group_on_freedom_of_association__assembly_in_africa.pdf, the African Commission in November 2015 decided to prepare Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa. The aim of the exercise is to raise the awareness of civil society, States Parties and other partners towards the implementation of the recommendations contained in the FOAA Report.
From 28 April to 2 May 2016, the Study Group met in Cotonou, Benin, and came up with the draft of the Guidelines.
Within the framework of its strategy, the Study Group has planned to hold series of consultation with Experts selected from different sub-regions of Africa as well as States Representatives and others stakeholders working for the promotion and the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Abidjan Experts consultation meeting is the first in this process.
