Hon. Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson, ACHPR Hon. Vice Chairperson and Members of the ACHPR
Mr. Andrew Chigovera, The Chairperson, and Members of the ACDHRS Governing Council
Mr. Gilbert Sebiyogo, ED, NANHRI
Dr. Patrice Vahard, Representative and Head of Office, OHCHR Guinea Conakry Mr. Chafi Bakary, Team Leader, OHCHR/EARO representing Mr. Marcel Akpovo, Representative
Representatives of NHRIs Representatives of NGOs, Civil Society
Representatives of the Media and the Press Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
As we stand on the verge of completing Two days of discussion have gone too fast. Two days of information and knowledge sharing, two days of experience sharing, two days of coining our contribution to the 71st session of the ACHPR, it is without a shadow of a doubt that the two days of interaction were indeed well spent.
We have together shared information on the state of democracy and human rights on the continent; explored the need for recognition and increased financing for community paralegals; reviewed the state of the COViD 19 especially in the field of Sexual Health and Rights Services and the need to enhance services to institutionalized persons with disability by sharing opportunities and strategies to address the pandemic, going forward. Furthermore, the situation of indigenous peoples and communities, was revealed in the finding of the MRG study “To purge the Forest by Force’.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Allow me to acknowledge the various moderators, facilitators and participants for their engagement and enthusiastic participation, which has led to adopted recommendations from the sub regions and resolutions on Chad, DRC and Mali.
On behalf of the Forum, I would like to appreciate the Hon. Chairperson Remy Ngoy Lumbu for his support, presence and for delivering statements during the Forum.
Our thanks go to Mr. Malamin Tamba, UNOWAS for representing Mr. William Lifongo, Senior Human Rights Advisor/ Team Leader, by being here and for accepting to deliver a statement at this closing ceremony.
Many thanks to All the members of the Forum Steering Committee (Adelaide, Corlett, Emilio, Joseph, Maxi, Melanie, Naji) for their input and efforts particularly in the preparation of the Forum.
This Forum would not nave been a success without our interpreters, thank you, Mam Sait and team. We must not forget thank John Gbenagnon for the technical assistance provided regarding the virtual connectivity.
Thanks to my brother, Gilbert and NANHRI, for the usual support. We look forward to more collaboration.
As we prepare to join the 71st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, I would like to urge each and every one of us to participate in the work of Africa’s premier human rights institution. A copy of the ACHPR agenda has been shared with all of you and do not hesitate to reach out to the Forum Secretariat should you need further information.
The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies would like to inform participants that we envisage the next session to be hybrid and hope you will be ready to join us in Banjul in the first Forum post COVID 19 Session. We look forward to welcoming you all, by the grace of God.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I cannot conclude without recognizing all those who collaborated with the Secretariat, in these trying times, and supported the organization of this Forum in various ways, including CIDH Africa, DefendDefenders, ICNL, IPAS, MRG, OHCHR, UNOWAS and Validity Foundation.
Finally, I would wish to thank all the members of the ACDHRS Team (Adama, Ellen, Peter, Yankuba, et al) at the Secretariat, for the usual sustained support provided.
I thank you for your kind attention.
HJF 20/04/2022
