AFRICAN COMMITTEE: New members announced

Submitted by crinadmin on Mon, 09/08/2010 - 03:07

The organising committee of the Civil Society Organisation Forum on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child has announced the newly elected experts of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child:

Madame Delladj-Sebaa Fatima (Algeria)
Dr. Benyam Dawit Mezmur (Ethiopia)
Sister Amal Muhammad al-Hanqari (Libya)
Dr. Muhimpundu Félicité (Rwanda)
Mr. Clement Julius Mashamba (Tanzania)
Hon. Justice Alfas M. Chitakunye (Zimbabwe)

Background information

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) is a Committee of 11 members mandated to monitor and report on the rights of children in Africa. The Committee is potentially a powerful watchdog and advocate for children's rights.

The terms of six members came to an end in July 2010. Civil society played a crucial role in recommending qualified and effective candidates to their respective governments to fill these vacancies.

A fact sheet was compiled by the CSO (Civil Society Organisation) Forum for the ACERWC to inform civil society organisations about the nomination process, flesh out specific criteria for potential members, and inspire civil society participation.

Although CSOs could not nominate candidates, they could influence the selection process by:

Identifying qualified candidates and lobbying them to serve on the Committee.
Seeking support for the proposed candidates from government officials working on children's issues or within the Ministry responsible for monitoring the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Sending a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with clear, convincing arguments as to why this person would be a good candidate.
Lobbying the government to ensure the nomination process was truly transparent and that State Parties select candidates on merit rather than for political considerations.
Lobbying the government to nominate competent and credible candidates.

The process of selecting candidates varied from State to State. Members are elected by the Executive Council (comprised of the foreign ministers of AU Member States) by secret ballot in a meeting held prior to the AU Summit. Their decision was then passed to the AU Assembly for final approval and adoption.

Country:

Tanzania, United Republic of

Zimbabwe

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