Obligations of NHRIs versus CSOs NHRIs CSOs Assist the African Commission in Establish close cooperation with the promoting and protecting human rights at African Commission and engage in regular national levels consultations on matters of common interest Present activity report every 2 years Present activity report every 2 years The ways in which NHRIs can engage with the African Commission are as follows: • • • • • Participation in sessions State reporting (alternative reports) Country missions Standard setting and studies Litigation Panel Discussion on the Gains and Gaps in the Complementary Relationship between NHRIs & the ACHPR (30 minutes) This panel focused on how the African Charter provides the legal framework for human rights protection in Africa, with a chapter establishing the African Commission to promote, protect, respect and realise the rights in the document. NHRIs are established by the laws of their respective countries to ensure the protection and promotion of the laws in their countries. There is a therefore a convergence in their mandates namely promoting and protecting human rights in Africa. It is hence absolutely necessary for the African Commission and NHRIs to work together to promote human rights. Although many NHRIs have been granted affiliate status, few of them submit their reports and consistently attend the sessions of the African Commission. The Paris Principles is at the core of the establishment of these institutions. NHRIs have been playing an important role and are complementary to other institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights. The gains of such affiliate status are as follows: • • • Opportunity to collaborate on a promotional and protective nature as both have similar mandates except that NHRIs operate at the national level and the African Commission has regional mandate. They are also recognised in the Grand Bay declaration. NHRIs have the legitimacy to work with the African commission The establishment of NANHRI which was created as a means of fostering relationships. Affiliate status gives NHRIs the rights and obligations similar to CSOs with observer status but NHRIs have the added requirement to assist the African 14