Southern African Human Rights NGO Network (SAHRINGON)
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Southern African Human Rights NGO Network (SAHRINGON)
Plot 7359 Lukasu Road, Rhodes Park,
PO Box 31145
Lusaka¸ Zambia
Tel: +260 1 251813-4
Fax: +260 1 251776
Email: afronet@zamnet.zm
Website: http://www.afronet.org.za/sahringon/intro.htm
Description
The Southern African Human Rights NGO Network (SAHRINGON) was launched as a network of 40 NGOs in all twelve Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in February 1997 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Its launch was the culmination of two years of consultation. SAHRINGON is a multi-country, cross-cultural network of human rights organizations which aim to create a dynamic human rights movement in the region and contribute to the development of a democratic Southern Africa.
The strategic objectives of the network include studying, collecting and disseminating information on human rights issues; providing a regional forum for human rights related NGOs in Southern Africa; exploring common issues for collective activism; promoting skills sharing and information exchange among NGOs; enhancing NGO capacities through training in research, lobbying, advocacy and reporting procedures; devising strategies for lobbying SADC governments on major human rights issues; promoting awareness of and participation in the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights; and helping enable the creation of free, open, pluralistic societies through information exchange and advocacy for the rule of law.
Track Record
SAHRINGON has registered a number of achievements.
It has been successful in gathering and disseminating information on the state of human rights in the region and proffering the way forward through general and organization-specific reports. For example, the organization uses its observer status/and or alternative means to get information on which Southern African states. Network members then prepare an alternative/shadow report to such state reports. Additionally, various human rights NGOs prepare written reports on the general and country specific statements on the human rights situations in their countries for oral and written interventions at the sessions of the network.
SAHRINGON also follows up and consolidates issues raised in respect of SADC countries, such as monitoring the human rights situations in Angola, DRC, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar. In addition, follows up on resolutions of meetings and forums organized by the network to ensure tangible impact in addressing human rights questions in the region.
Challenges
SAHRINGON is a leader in the promotion and protection of human rights in Southern Africa. However, the effectiveness of its work depends largely on the political will of government leaders. Furthermore, its work necessitates significant human and financial resources, and it faces challenges in ensuring that these are in place.
Opportunities
Given these challenges, SAHRINGON needs to address questions of gender imbalances at organizational level, lack of national and regional coordination and collaboration, undemocratic organizational structures, and clarity on the definition of human rights. The activities identified above should lay the foundation for raising profile with membership organizations, and other human rights and inter-government institutions for the purpose of promoting human rights in the region.
