Improving NHRI's capacity in relation to human rights defenders

National human rights institutions (NHRIs) have a very strong role on protecting, promoting, and acting as human rights defenders according to the Marrakesh Declaration.

Based on the declaration, NANHRI has developed several tools to expand the protective and promotive role of NHRIs in relation to human rights defenders (HRDs) on the African continent. 

The tools have been developed with the support of the Danish Institute for Human Rights through the NHRI.EU project. 

Study on Developing and Strengthening Protection Mechanisms for Human Rights Defenders

The study/report identifies best practices as well as challenges in the implementation process giving relatable examples to other national human rights institutions (NHRIs), HRDs, and human rights professionals on the protection mechanism aspect. 

The study is a reference study developed by NANHRI on the efforts of nine NHRIs to implement the Marrakesh Declaration. The focus of the report is to show the importance of NHRIs legal assistance to HRDs, and the use of complaints handling mechanisms to receive and determine complaints from HRDs. 

Framework for The Implementation of The Marrakech Declaration by National Human Rights Institutions

This is a framework for monitoring the implementation of the recommendations issued by NHRIs in the course of protecting the rights of HRDs, especially women human rights defenders (WHRD).

The framework helps NHRIs understand the specifics patterns of human rights violations in relation to HRDs. Thereby, it enables NHRIs' continuous and systematic monitoring and reporting activities on the implementation of recommendations on human rights defenders based on the Marrakech Declaration.

Human Rights Defenders Model Law

The model law is a tool for NHRIs to advocate for more robust legal recognition and protection of the work of HRDs.  Additionally, it is a useful tool to measure and assess the coverage and effectiveness of existing laws and policies concerning HRDs.

It seeks to assist and provide technical guidance to states when they develop laws, policies and institutions at the national level to support the work of HRDs and protect them from harassment, reprisals and attacks. 

Reference Handbook on Strengthening African NHRIs’ Protection Mechanisms for Human Rights Defenders

The handbook supports the work of NHRI professionals by broadening their knowledge in the theme, consequently raising awareness of the work of HRD on a technical and practical level.  

It provides guidance on HRDs by introducing key concepts, definitions, protection mechanism, and legal instruments on HRDs. 

Regional Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders

The regional action plan developed by NANHRI identifies actors that will undertake specific activities effectively and appoints timelines within which these activities ought to be completed to implement the Marrakech Declaration.

The action plan is intended to raise awareness of the work, rights, and protection of HRDs by implementing the Marrakesh Declaration. It requires commitment from NHRIs in areas such as the capacity building of NHRIs on HRD, protection mechanisms for HRD, advocacy for regulatory improvement, or creation of statutory protection for human rights defenders and women human rights defenders (WHRD).