Ms. Jacqueline Ingutiah (2nd left) representing KNCHR during a panel discussion on the role of NHRIs and NGOs in strengthening the regional cooperation on the implementation and monitoring of the Global Compact on Migration. (L-R) Mr. Elasto Hilarious Mugwadi, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission , Jacqueline Ingutiah- KNCHR, Mr. Mohamed Amarti, Member, National Human Rights Council of Morocco , Ms. Hannah Forster, Executive Director, African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies and Mr. Khalid Ikhiri, President, National Human Rights Commission of Niger)(Photo Courtesy: KNCHR 2019)
KNCHR participates in Regional Human Rights Institutions meeting on Migration
By Jacqueline Ingutiah
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is a member of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) Working Group on Migration. On 23rd April 2019, the Working Group chaired by the National Human Rights Council of Morocco (CNDH) and composed of the NHRI of Kenya, Zimbabwe, DRC and Niger, in cooperation with the National Council of Human Rights of Egypt, organized a panel event on the side lines of the 64th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The main objective of the event was to discuss the modalities of multi-stakeholder cooperation for the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and its ownership at the continental level; and strengthen the interaction of the NHRIs with the regional human rights systems on the implementation of the GCM.
In addition to the working group members other panellist included; Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), representative of the International Organization for Migration, the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Displaced Persons and the African Center for Democracy and human rights Studies. Further, representatives from CSOs, state agencies, academicians formed part of the audience. Panellist shared their work on migration and human rights, challenges and opportunities of advancing the GCM at the national and regional level. The panel provided an opportunity for the Commission share its successes under the project and identify best practices from other NHRI's and Regional Human Rights Systems on how to engage the discussions on migrants rights not just at the national level but also the regional level. The Working Group further held a closed group meeting where members were able to interrogate the contents on the draft road map on the action to be taken by the working group at the regional level and come up with a way forward.
In addition to the panel and working group meeting, the Commission participated on a side event on NHRIs expert discussion on Complaints Handling and Legal Assistance organized by National Council of Human Rights of Egypt and GIZ. The Commission and other NHRIs shared their work and experiences on complaints handling and the legal assistance services they provide. The organizers also shared details about an upcoming international expert workshop on NHRIs complaints handling and legal assistance scheduled from 11th- 13th June 2019 in Egypt. All attendees were invited to share an abstract to participate in the event if interested.
(Jacqueline Ingutiah is the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Regional Coordinator for Western Region)