INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: The 7th African Union Commission/Network of African National Human Rights Institutions Policy Dialogue under the Framework of the AU Human and Peoples’ Rights Decade Action Plan.

WHO: The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the Network of Africa National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI).

WHEN: 7-9 May 2025 at 0900hrs-1800hrs EAT (GMT+3)

WHERE: African Union Head Quarters, Medium Conference Hall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The AUC-NANHRI Policy Dialogue on the State of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Africa was inaugurated in 2017 as a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee (AU-PRC), and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI). The Forum is supported by like-minded partners and stakeholders and serves as a strategic platform of engagement of the AU-PRC in advancing human and peoples’ Rights in AU Member States through the strengthening of National Human Rights Institutions for the socio-economic development in line with the AU Agenda 2063 and African shared values. The Policy Forum is convened within the framework of the AU Human and peoples’ Rights Decade (2016-2026), operationalized by the AU Strategic Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Africa (2024-2026).

OBJECTIVE: The 7th African Union Commission (AUC) - Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) Policy Dialogue aims to examine the state of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Africa, with a particular focus on their role in advancing reparatory justice within the framework of the AU Theme of the Year 2025: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”

PARTICIPANTS: The Forum will bring together key stakeholders from diverse sectors, including: AU Permanent Representatives Committee (AU-PRC), Representatives from all 47 NANHRI member institutions, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (Host NHRI), AU Institutions & Regional Economic Communities (RECs), AUC Departments (PAPS and Economic Development, Trade, Industry, and Mining (ETIM)), AU Human Rights Organs (ACHPR, African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights & ACERWC), ECOSOCC, APRM, AUDA-NEPAD; the AfCFTA Secretariat, GIZ (German Development Cooperation); Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI); Civil Society Organizations & Human Rights Defenders; UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); Relevant UN bodies supporting human rights and reparatory justice; Academia & Research Institutions; Development Partners; and Media Representatives.

For media inquiries:

Ms. Limi Mohammed, Communications focal point, Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, African Union Commission. Email: shashlm@africa-union.org
Mr Dylan Wainaina, Communications and Advocacy Assistant, Network of African National Human Rights Institutions. Email: dwainaina@nanhri.org