Delegates from The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, and the LWF World Service country programs in Kenya--Somalia and Angola participated in the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in Gambia.
Delegates from The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria and the LWF World Service country programs in Kenya--Somalia and Angola. Photo: ALCINET/F. Samari
LWF delegates from the Africa region at African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights
(LWI) - For the first time, a delegation from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) participated in the sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR).
The team, consisting of delegates from The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria and the LWF World Service country programs in Kenya-Somalia and Angola participated in forums and sessions, to highlight human rights challenges faced by communities they serve in the African continent.
The NGO forum, which is facilitated by the Africa Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), is a mechanism that discusses issues of human rights in Africa and develop recommendations. Photo: ALCINET/F. Samari
“Africa, as a continent, is facing several human rights issues, some of which were drastically influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic – issues such as the food and hunger crisis, gender based violence, the climate crisis, conflicts, and massive displacement of people,” said Isaiah Toroitich, LWF Head of Global Advocacy.
Protection of women, children and refugees
Based on the key objectives of the LWF advocacy, the representatives advocated for the rights of refugees and internally displaced people, the right to education, land rights, child protection and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence in Africa.
The African Commission provides an opportunity and space for Civil Society Organizations to engage by highlighting human rights concerns and sharing of experiences, best practices, and challenges.
LWF Head of Global Advocacy Department for Theology, Mission and Justice Isaiah Toroitich
“The African Commission provides an opportunity and space for Civil Society Organizations, including faith actors, to engage by highlighting human rights concerns and sharing of experiences, best practices, and challenges. This is critical for our advocacy work in the LWF,” Toroitich said.
Networking with faith-based partners
Collins Omundu, Education Officer Quality & Curriculum Implementation for LWF World Service Kenya-Djibouti-Somalia Program, who led the delegation said ‘’In our sessions with other organizations, we shared our work and experience of refugee education, minority rights, the emotive land rights issues in Angola and the rights and support that women and young girls need to play significant roles in their communities.”
“These are critical human rights issues which the ACHPR can help address for the benefit of all,” added Omundu.
The participants engaged in networking and bilateral meetings with other faith-based organizations such as All Africa Conference of Churches. They also met with UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur representatives and human rights networks in Africa.
According to Loerose Mbise, a serving council member of the LWF who was on the team, “LWF again is providing a platform to member churches to find their voice in human rights development in Africa. This is a laudable step.”
