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During the 30th session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Committee) held in Khartoum, Sudan, from 6 to 16 December 2017, the African Children’s Committee granted observer status to the Centre for Human Rights.

Having observer status with the African Children’s Committee enables the Centre for Human Rights to include specific matters of concern on the African Children’s Committee’s agenda, to present statements during sessions, to participate, upon invitation, in deliberations of the African Children’s Committee’s meetings, and to have access to documents of interest to the Centre.

Article 42(a)(iii) of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Charter) mandates the African Children’s Committee to co-operate with other institutions and organisations towards the promotion and protection of children’s rights on the African continent. Civil society organisations play a crucial role in assisting and complementing the African Children’s Committee to ensure the realisation of children’s rights and wellbeing in Africa.

The Director of the Centre, Frans Viljoen, welcomed the granting of observer status, and commented: “The Centre for Human Rights is committed to continue working with the African Children’s Committee towards ensuring full, effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of African Children’s Charter.”

In the past, the Centre has partnered with a Senegalese NGO, La Rencontre Africaine pour law Defense des Droits de l’Homme (RADDHO), to submit a communication to the African Children’s Committee, concerning street children in Senegal. The Committee decided this communication communication in 2014, and is currently engaged with the follow-up to ensure effective implementation of the decision.

The Centre also enjoys observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

 

 

 

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