About the Democracy, Human Rights & Governance Sector.

Human rights is another important sector of practice for AEFID, as it reflects the organization’s commitment to promote peace, justice, and dignity for Africa and its people. AEFID recognizes that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and inalienable rights that belong to every human being, regardless of their race, color, sex, ethnicity, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status. AEFID also acknowledges the challenges and opportunities that Africa faces in the human rights sector, such as the gaps in access, protection, and enforcement of human rights, the impacts of conflicts, disasters, and pandemics, the need for reform and innovation, and the potential for cooperation and integration.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Africa has faced multiple human rights crises and emergencies in recent years, such as the conflicts in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Mali, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic, the cyclones in Mozambique, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe, the locust invasion in East Africa, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These crises and emergencies have resulted in millions of deaths, injuries, and displacements, as well as severe humanitarian and development impacts. The main factors that aggravate the human rights situation are poverty, insecurity, displacement, and lack of access to basic services.

However, Africa also has many opportunities and capacities to improve its human rights sector and achieve the SDGs related to peace, justice, and dignity. The continent has a strong normative and institutional framework, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the various regional and subregional courts and mechanisms. These entities play a vital role in promoting and protecting the rights and interests of the affected populations, as well as facilitating cooperation and integration of the continent. Africa also has the potential to harness the power of innovation and technology, such as digital platforms, biometrics, and drones, to improve its human rights services and create solutions that are efficient, effective, and inclusive.

AEFID aims to support and complement these efforts by conducting and promoting research, education, and advocacy on human rights issues in Africa. AEFID also strives to foster a dialogue and collaboration among various stakeholders, including state authorities, civil society, private sector, media, academia, and international and regional organizations. AEFID believes that by working together, we can enhance the human rights sector, peace, justice, and dignity of Africa and its people.