Data for Governance Africa Convenes Meeting to Highlight Human Rights Challenges in East Africa

The Third Stakeholders’ Convening on enhancing Human Rights in Africa, particularly in the Eastern Africa region, began this week, spearheaded by Data4GovAfrica.

This significant event, organized by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from East, Southern, and West Africa, aims to strengthen the implementation of the African Union’s African Governance Architecture (AGA), focusing on Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights.

The opening ceremony featured a keynote address from Chief Justice Emeritus Hon. Justice David Maraga, who emphasized the crucial role of evidence-based advocacy in promoting human rights.

Justice Maraga stressed the importance of using data-driven insights to guide CSOs, highlighting that societies emerging from conflict share a unified desire to rebuild through reconciliation, reparation, and reconstitution.

“In all conflict cases, there is a disregard for human rights,” Chief Justice Emeritus Maraga stated, underscoring the judiciary’s essential role in upholding the rule of law and human dignity.

Professor Paul Kamau of the University of Nairobi’s Institute for Development Studies (IDIS) echoed Justice Maraga’s concerns, pointing to a decline in public trust in institutions tasked with protecting human rights.

Citing an Afrobarometer report, Professor Kamau revealed that only 34% of Kenyans trust the police and the courts, a situation worsened by recent incidents of excessive force during protests.

“Judges face intimidation when making crucial judgments for societal well-being,” Justice Maraga added, lamenting the underfunding and neglect of courts in some countries.

He called for strong measures to protect and advance human rights throughout the region.

The week-long convening seeks to promote dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to address human rights challenges and explore opportunities for improvement in Eastern Africa.

The discussions will include policy recommendations, best practices, and strategies to strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law, ultimately aiming for a more equitable and rights-respecting society.

The event is being live-streamed and involves participants from various sectors, including government officials, CSO representatives, academics, and international observers.

Follow-up actions are expected to include advocacy campaigns, policy briefings, and capacity-building initiatives designed to maintain momentum in advancing human rights agendas across the continent.