Kampala, Uganda, 09 December 2016: The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) commenced a Consultative Dialogue on a Cooperative Framework on Human Rights and Transitional Justice Mechanisms in Darfur. The Consultation is taking place in Kampala, Uganda with close cooperation with UNAMID Human Rights Section, The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and technical and financial support from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR).
Transitional justice processes and mechanisms are central to ensure accountability, justice and peace in Darfur. The development of a framework of cooperation will also help to foster a more concerted cooperation among the partners in channeling support to the Human Rights and Transitional Justice Mechanisms in Darfur. These mechanisms are crucial in fostering rule of law, respect for human rights, justice, truth and reconciliation, as well as sustaining an ever lasting peace in Darfur.
On behalf of H.E. Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Amb. Salah S. Hammad, Human Rights Expert of the DPA/AUC, addressed the opening ceremony of the consultation and presented the African Union concept on Transitional Justice in Africa. Amb. Hammad also indicated the need to have African solutions to all African problems based on continental and regional norms and standards. He further reiterated the commitment of the African Union to support the national and local efforts to bring peace and ensure justice in Darfur.
Representatives from CSVR, OHCHR, UNAMID, Office of the General Prosecutor for the Special Court of Darfur Crimes; the Justice, Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Sudan National Human Rights Commission presented their respective understandning of the Transitional Justice concept. All presenters agreed on the need to support the transitional justice mechanisms in Darfur. They also requested the African Union and the UN to fully support the transitional justice processes in Darfur.
The overall objective of the dialogue is to foster and strengthen cooperation between the Human Rights and Justice Mechanisms in Darfur and partners with a view to maximizing requisite support to the mechanisms for the effective discharge of their mandates. The primary objectives of the dialogue were the following:
- Foster better understanding of the activities of the Sudanese National Human Rights Commission (SNHRC),the Transitional Justice Mechanisms (TJMs) and partners.
- Identify concrete and realistic areas of cooperation between the SNHRC, TJMs and partners.
- Elaborate a framework of cooperation between the SNHRC, TJMs and partners.
- Reflect on ways and means to maintain dialogue between the SNHRC, TJMs and partners.
The two days dialogue is organized with financial and technical support from the CSVR and it is expected to reinforce the nexus between the Sudanese National Human Rights Commission and the Transitional Justice Mechanisms in the advancement of human rights protection and promotion in Darfur within the framework of the transitional justice programs. It will also attempt to highlight and reaffirm the critical role that the AU has in advancing human rights, democracy and the rule of law as part of the African Shared values.
This process is part of the on-going process led by the Department of Political Affairs to develop an African Union Transitional Justice Policy that will address issues of concerns in Africa and contribute to silencing the guns by 2020.
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Amb. Salah S. Hammad | Senior Human Rights Expert | Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: HammadS@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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