Members of the sub-strategy working group of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have paid a visit to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) on a study and knowledge-sharing tour.
The EHRC which is mandated to promote and protect human rights in Ethiopia as provided under Establishment Proclamation, aims at educating the public on human rights, and ensuring that human rights are protected, respected, and fully enforced.
In this regard, the EHRC is embarking on regional and international visits to learn good practices and draw experiences as well as inspiration from fellow NHRIs. The new knowledge gained is expected to be applied by members of the sub-strategy working group within the departments of the EHRC to develop and oversee the implementation of sub-strategies of the EHRC’s Strategic plan.
The five-day knowledge and experience-sharing engagement exposed the EHRC to CHRAJ’s best practices with regard to public education on human rights, and on the Commission’s mandates to enable them replicate same into the EHRC’s strategic decisions and planning.
The head of the delegation, Mr. Mebratu Gebeyehu Belay, Director of Human Rights Education said CHRAJ, an Accreditation “A” Status Human Rights Institution has been identified as having a strong track record in human rights protection and promotion which is of strategic importance as highlighted in the objectives of the EHRC’s overall Strategic Plan (2021-2024).
Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, in his welcome address explained the need for effective collaboration between National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) indicating that, a request to understudy the Commission is a call to duty to share experiences in a bid to advance the work of NHRIs within Africa.
A Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr. Richard Quayson, in his remarks observed that, the Commission maintains impartiality, independence, and neutrality in carrying out its mandates.
He said CHRAJ promotes justice in a free, informal, and expeditious manner through the utilization of simple procedures devoid of technicalities, and also ensures transparency in the complaint handling process. He added that the application of best practices in complaints handling makes the Commission’s services accessible throughout the country.
