Dakar, Senegal — 11 October 2026
The Committee for Justice (CFJ) and the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council organised a training entitled “From Documentation to Action: Practical Engagement with UN and African Human Rights Mechanisms” on 11 October 2026 at the OHCHR office in Dakar, Senegal.
Held within the framework of the Addis Ababa Roadmap, the training aimed to strengthen the capacity of African civil society organisations, human rights defenders, lawyers and advocates to translate documentation into effective action for victims and their families.
The training was moderated by Federica Donati, and she also led the session on UN Special Procedures, Dr. Aua Baldé, Member of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), addressed disappearance cases, information requirements, urgent action and follow-up.
Albab Tesfaye led the sessions on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), outlining opportunities for civil society engagement and complementary action with UN mechanisms.
Technical sessions addressed selecting the appropriate mechanism, preparing clear and credible submissions, requesting urgent interventions and sustaining follow-up. Particular attention was given to informed consent, confidentiality, protection against reprisals and the specific needs of children.
Interactive questions and practical discussion provided space to explore how UN and African mechanisms can be used in complementary ways, according to the nature of the violation, its urgency and the protection sought.
Through this initiative, CFJ reaffirms its commitment to strengthening civil society engagement with human rights mechanisms and advancing cooperation under the Addis Ababa Roadmap to support protection, access to remedies and accountability.