RIG provides for the following:
Criminalisation of Torture (Art 4 – 14),
Combating Impunity (Art 16 a –e),
Complaints and Investigation Procedure (Art 17-19),
Basic Procedural Safeguards for those deprived of their
liberty (Art 20 a – d),
Safeguards during the Pre-Trial Process (Art 21 – 32),
Improved Conditions of Detention (Art 33-37),
Mechanisms of Oversight (Art 38 – 44),
Training and Empowerment (Art 45 – 46);
Civil Society Education and Empowerment
(Art 47-48) and
Responding to the Needs of Victims (Art 49 –
50)
Combating
Impunity (Art 16 a –
e),
Basic Procedural
Safeguards for those
deprived of their
liberty (Art 20 a – d),
Safeguards during
the Pre-Trial Process
(Art 21 – 32),
Improved Conditions
of Detention (Art 3337),
Complaints and
Investigation
Procedure (Art 1719),
Mechanisms of
Oversight (Art 38 –
44),
Criminalisation of
Torture (Art 4 – 14)
Civil Society
Education and
Empowerment (Art
47-48) and
Training and
Empowerment (Art
45 – 46);
Responding to the
Needs of Victims (Art
49 – 50)

Ensuring the wider reach of the document

Ensuring greater literacy (and
understanding) of the content of RIG
Example:
- Grassroots and various constituencies
- Primary/secondary/tertiary institutions
- Different levels of government
- Different professional sectors
Strategies:
These may include the following:
-
Translation into local languages
-
Simplification of articles of the RIG through
various Information Education and
Communication (IEC) materials (such as
posters, leaflets, bill boards, handbills, stickers,
etc).
-
Serialisation of RIG through print and electronic
media.
-
Strategic engagement and partnership
with the media on the RIG (training,
establishment of media network and
‘incentives’ for the media on this, etc)
-
Integrating the awareness of RIG into all
public awareness/ media and other
promotional activities being undertaken
by CSOs.

CSOs are very critical in ensuring the
implementation of the RIG.
Their role includes the following:
-
Provision of Technical Support
(including training and capacity building,
provision of technical advice , research,
preparation of technical documents, etc.
-
Serve as strong pressure group to help
-
Identification and documentation of cases
of torture (wider reach and coverage)
-
Provision of redress and support to victims of
torture
place the issues on public view (through
campaigns, ‘naming & shaming’,
constituency building & mass
mobilization, advocacy activities, etc




Access to Increased
expertise and knowledge
base
Cost-effectiveness and
often provision of critical
funding that will ensure the
implementation of the
targeted action
Boldness and
independence which adds
to the credibility of process
and the issue of discuss
Increase in the speed and
scope of coverage given
the number and reach of
the CSOs
Skills
Funds
Increased
involvement of
CSOs in the
promotion and
implementation
of RIG will help
increase .....
Speed &
reach
Credibility
APT
RIG....
CPTA...
ACHPR

What will be the case if the equation was
different. Example:
ACHPR - APT = ???? (Your guess is as good as
mine on the issue of the RIG, CPTA etc.)
NOW reflect again what will be the scenario if
you have not one but multiple CSOs + ACHPR
= RIG plus ++++
Or better still
Multiple CSOs + Multiple NHRIs + ACHPR = RIG
plus++++++

We do not need to be great mathematicians to know
which path to follow.

The increased engagement/involvement of NGOs
and indeed other CSOs is very essential if we want the
RIG to be effectively promoted and implemented
across the African continent. It is relevant in the
actualisation of all the provisions of the RIG not just
articles 47 & 48.
WE NEED TO DO THIS NOW AS NOT TO WAIT FOR THE
NEXT DECADE TO ASK WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED...FOR
THE EVIDENCE WILL THEN OVERWHELMINGLY SPEAK
FOR ITSELF.
I REST MY CASE!!!