Inter-African Union of Human Rights
From TrustAfrica wiki - African Regional Organizations
Inter-African Union of Human Rights
01 BP 1346, Ouagadougou
Burkina Faso
Tel: (226) 31.61.45
Fax: (226) 31.61.44
Email: uidh@fasonet.bf
Website: http://www.iuhr.org
Description
The Inter-African Union of Human Rights (IUHR) is a pan-African non-governmental organization that works to protect, promote and defend human rights, democracy and development in Africa. In 1992, eighteen human rights NGOs from across the continent came together to establish the IUHR. The organization was born of the need and the will of human rights activists to equip the African continent with an institution capable of supporting the consolidation of nascent democracies.
The IUHR network serves as a framework of action and reflection in the service of human rights. Today, the organization has over 40 member organizations and 10 partner organizations that maintain observer status with the IUHR.
The IUHR is dedicated to finding support for the large number of human rights activists that are harassed, arrested and murdered because of their activism. Towards this goal, the IUHR advocates for the ratification of various international human rights treaties across the continent.
Track Record
The IUHR’s work has involved monitoring the situation in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Cote D’Ivoire and Burkina Faso among other conflict-ridden countries in the West Africa sub-region. Activities have included electoral surveillance, advocacy for the release of political prisoners and journalists and the documentation of various human rights abuses. Throughout its work, the IUHR works with local actors and member organizations to find solutions to pressing human rights challenges.
Among its most significant achievements are its contributions to the settlement of Mali’s Touareg conflict (1990-1995 and 1995 – 1997), along with similar mediation efforts in Ivory Coast in 1991 and in Senegal 1994. On several occasions, the IUHR initiated or participated in prospecting missions in conflict situations, accompanied by other international organizations or leaders in order to pave the way for conflict resolution and management.
The IUHR also works with different national groups to educate and raise awareness about prisoners’ rights and to advocate against capital punishment.
Working with ATD Quart Monde, a France based Human Rights organization, the IUHR organized symposiums on poverty alleviation, women’s rights and development. Through its various activities and in collaboration with the French Commission on Human Rights, the IUHR contributed to the establishment of the United Nation’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
IUHR’s human rights work has received the following awards and recognitions: The Muhammar Kadhafi prize for Human Rights (1994); Nobel Peace Prize with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (1997); Observer Status with the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights (1994); Membership on the steering committee of the international coalition of NGOs for a permanent International Court.
