Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

16 May 2009

Bringing the Kampala Plan of Action a step forward

Dear colleagues, partners and friends,

The Kampala Plan of Action, known as the KAPA, was officially launched on 16 May 2009, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, in Banjul, The Gambia. The KAPA was adopted during the Johannesburg + 10 All Africa Human Rights Defenders Conference in Kampala held at the Speke Ressort, Kampala (Uganda) from 20 to 23 April 2009. The ceremony was graced by the presence of four Commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, namely: Mrs. Reine Alapini- Gansou, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa; Mrs. Soyata Maiga, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa; Mrs. Catherine Atoki, Chairperson of the Follow-Up Committee on the Robben Island Guidelines; and Mr. Mumba Malila, Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detentions in Africa. The honorary president of FIDH, Mr. Sidiki Kaba, Mrs. Inmaculada Barcia of the International Service for Human Rights, Kolawole Olaniyan of Amnesty International, Mrs. Hannah Foster of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies were also present. On behalf of the KAPA Steering Committee, Mr. Diallo Gadiry, Coordinator of the West-Africa Human Rights Defenders Network welcomed the invitees and highlighted the importance of KAPA. Mr. Sadiki Kaba, on behalf of Joburg + 10 international partners, briefly retraced the history of human rights defenders instruments since the 1998 United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Mr. Hassan Shire Sheikh, chairperson of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network and the Head of the Secretariat of the newly launched Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network took the pledge of the implementation of KAPA on behalf of the members of the Steering Committee. Following the three speakers, Mrs. Reine Alapini-Gansou took the floor and highlighted some of the challenges of KAPA:

- Enhance protection of human rights defenders and their rights across the continent by reinforcing collaboration of sub-regional networks and key interest groups;

- Provide technical assistance to existing sub-regional networks and create new ones, if necessary, based on the lessons learned of existing ones;

- Support sub-regional networks in conducting training of human rights defenders in international and regional intergovernmental protection mechanisms, security and protection, advocacy measures including media and communication strategies, project management and fundraising methods, gender and sexual orientation;

- Work to ensure that States, intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations strengthen their assistance and protection to Human Rights Defenders.

These challenges will be difficult to overcome, Mrs. Alapini-Gansou added; but it is still possible for human rights defenders to contribute to a better world since they have shown their commitments through the last ten years. Synergy and true cooperation among the different actors is the key factor for success, a success which will depend on the ability of the Steering Committee to pull together their strengths on the implementation of the KAPA. Mrs. Alapini-Gansou also congratulated Mr. Hassan Shire Sheikh and the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project for organising the Joburg +10 on one hand and, on the other hand, for accepting the invitation to host the Secretariat of the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network, which will undertake the implementation of the KAPA.

Hassan Shire Sheikh Executive Director

East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
Sub-regional Coordination Office
Human Rights House, Plot 1853 Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. 70356 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256-312-265820 ext. 821
Mobile: +256-772-753753
Fax: +256-312-265825
Website: http://www.defenddefenders.org