The Network of National Human Rights Institutes (NNHRI) in West Africa has resolved to promote and protect the rights of citizens in the ECOWAS region through proactive engagements of relevant institutions and the citizens.

This was one of the key decisions reached by the Network at its three-day Annual General Assembly which ended at the ECOWAS Commission’s Abuja headquarters on 1st June 2012.

In her opening remarks to the gathering, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, stressed the need for the institutionalization of democracy and the rule of law in the region, especially against the backdrop of threats of secession in northern Mali, attempts at democratic reversal by mutinous soldiers in Guinea Bissau and terrorist incursions in Nigeria by the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect.

he charged the NNHRI to remain steadfast on its fundamental principle of reporting human rights issues in Member States. To this end, the Commissioner reiterated ECOWAS’ commitment to provide all necessary support to the Network to ensure that member-institutions filed regular and adequate reports in accordance with agreed principles.

The Assembly was called upon to report human rights infringements to the ECOWAS Parliament and Community Court of Justice, while Member States are encouraged to promote and protect citizens’ freedom and ensure that human right violators are brought to book.

Human rights institutions in Mali and Guinea Bissau were also charged to update ECOWAS on rights violations, including those by security forces.

The assembly is an annual forum for NNHRI chapters to present reports and updates on the activities of Human Rights Commissions of Member States, including on serious human rights violations.

The Abuja meeting was attended by focal points of national human rights commissions, representatives of the ECOWAS Parliament, officials of the ECOWAS Commission and Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice.