African human rights center to host NGO forum in Algiers

The African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) will hold the next NGO forum for organizations and individuals involved in human rights activities in Africa April 24-26 in Algiers.

The pan-African news agency PANA quoted the center as saying the forum, which will precede the 27th session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, also to be held in Algiers from April 27 to May 11, will focus on pressing human rights issues in Africa and prepare the groundwork for the conference.

These include the human rights situation in Africa, improving the relationship between African human rights NGOs and the commission, establishment of early warning and intervention mechanisms with regard to conflicts in Africa, strategies for recovery of Africa's stolen wealth and strategies for curbing abuse of power by politicians.

The participants will also discuss strategies for the speedy ratification of additional protocols of the African charter on the establishment of an African court on human and people's rights, the situation of refugees and displaced persons, and the additional protocol to the African charter concerning the rights of women.