09 March 2023, online
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) informs the public that the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa (the Committee or CPTA) organized on March 9, 2023, a sensitization and training webinar for the dissemination of the Abidjan Rules to English-speaking countries in Africa. This activity is in line with the Commission's strategic plan and is financed by funds from African Union member states.
After the adoption of the Abidjan Rules by Resolution ACHPR/Res. 520 (LXXII), the launch of the said Rules at the 73rd Ordinary Session of the Commission and the workshop on the operationalization and implementation of the Abidjan Rules, this webinar is part of the Committee's strategy to disseminate the Abidjan Rules to all actors involved in the prevention of torture in Africa.
The objective of this webinar for English-speaking countries in Africa was to disseminate and familiarize them with the Abidjan Rules. More specifically, this webinar aimed to :
i. Take note of the situation of the implementation of the International and regional Instruments for the prevention of Torture on the Continent;
ii. To introduce the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa;
iii. Present and go over the general process of the functioning of the Abidjan Rules;
iv. Present the procedure of the partnerships with the HRDOs and the CPTA within the framework of the implementation of the Abidjan Rules;
v. Simulate practical cases of warnings of Torture Cases;
vi. Empower all the stakeholders in the effective use of the Abidjan Rules.
Under the leadership of the Honorable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Chairperson of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa, the webinar was attended by the Committee's Expert Members as well as more than 30 whistleblowers (International Organizations, NHRIs, NGOs, lawyers, ...) from various English-speaking countries in Africa.
The participants followed the presentations below and completed group work on practical cases.
i. Presentation of the progress of prevention of torture in the States Parties;
ii. Presentation of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa;
iii. Presentation of the Abidjan Rules: Origin, Role & Implementation Process;
iv. Partnership: Partnership Procedure, Goals & Responsibility.
At the end of this activity, the Committee notes on one hand the manifest interest of the participants in the prevention of torture in Africa and in the dissemination of the Abidjan Rules and on the other hand their willingness to collaborate with the Committee for the effective implementation of these Rules.
The Committee deplores, however, the lack of financial means which does not favor the organization of in-person activities on the dissemination of the Rules, which would create more impact.
The Committee, on behalf of the Commission, expresses its deep gratitude to all participants in this webinar.
For further information, please contact:
Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Lay-out, Kombo North District Western Region. PO Box 673
Banjul, The Gambia Tel: 220 4410505/6
Fax: 220 4410504
E-mail:au-banjul@africa-union.org
