plan on human right and business issues so that ESCR is mainstreamed into the activities of all relevant stakeholders in Nigeria. The Gambia Purohit versus the Gambia: The NHRI became effective only in 2019 but there was progress before that. The specific facility in question has been relocated outside of Banjul since the decision. It is more spacious and sanitary issues have improved a bit. Since the overthrow of the former regime, the facility is more accessible and those responsible are more willing to talk to researchers and monitors around the country. The NHRI visited and noted some improvements. However, there is still issues in terms of legislation and law reform regarding persons with psycho-social disabilities. In 2021, a particular legislation was adopted with meant to provide protection for persons with disabilities – it domesticated the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It includes mental disability in the definition of a person with disability. Recommendations from session 6: • • • • • • • • • • There is need to join efforts both at the national and regional level to formulate strategies and coordinate efforts. NHRIs need to bring together CSOs and communities with the government to facilitate dialogues to charter the way forward to identify recommendations NHRIs that have a redress mandate can also participate in the activities of the African Commission There is need for NHRIs to participate in the hearings and the activities specially when the African Commission and the African Court are considering matters on a country that are in. They can also file amicus curiae briefs. NHRIs can contribute by empowering communities to constantly and repeatedly keep the State to account. NHRIs also engage in advocacy work to raise awareness about human rights and decisions of the African Commission The NHRIs only follow up on the implementation – they cannot exert pressure. It is only the African Union that can do so NHRIs should engage more at a political level and ensure greater awareness when it comes to the workings of the African Commission, specially concerning its decisions/recommendations There is need to train judges and lawyers to use the jurisprudence of the African Commission and to use landmark cases of the African Commission so that if the local courts take a decision on ESCR, it becomes binding on the State. The NHRIs need to be conversant with the Guidelines on the Role of NHRIs on Monitoring Implementation of Recommendations of the African Commission on 17