Statement to East&Horn of Africa Heads of State on the UN Human Rights Council

Today the 12th of May 2007, on the Occasion of the opening of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the 15th African Human Rights Book Fair, in Accra , Ghana; the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network calls upon members of the UN Africa Group, together with other regional groups, to support strong reforms at the UN Human Rights Council in its fifth and final session of its inaugural year from June 11-18. The Network urges African countries to work together in the next two months to ensure that the UN Human Rights Council adopts mechanisms that will strengthen its ability to address human rights violations across the world. The Network is particularly calling on the Council to preserve the independence and flexibility of the system of ’Special Procedures’ that monitor human rights worldwide“, and”establish a universal periodic review (UPR), that involves independent experts and non-governmental stakeholders at all stages.“Finally, the Network urges the Council to”demonstrate an increased willingness to act on urgent human rights situations in a balanced and proactive way."

For further information on this statement please contact, Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson EHAHRDP/Net: +233-249832702 (Note that this is his temporary contact during his stay in Ghana until May 22nd 2007)

Regional Coordination Office
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT (EHAHRDP)
Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. Box 11027 Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256-41-510263(general)/ext.112
+256-41-267118(direct)
Fax: +256-41-267117
E-mail: ehahrdp yahoo.ca, hshire yorku.ca
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/index.html