The Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, in collaboration with the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, has begun a two-day training on human rights and election monitoring in Ganta City, Nimba County.
The training is intended to build the capacity of Civil Society Organizations and INCHR monitors, to monitor and report on elections-related human rights violations before, during, and after the October 10 elections. The training is an activity under the Peace Building Fund and is implemented by the OHCHR.
Making remarks on behalf of OHCHR Country Representative, Christian Mukosa, OHCHR Human Rights Officer, Atty. Roosevelt Gongon Jayjay, stated that the training of INCHR and CSOs to monitor and report on elections-related activities is to ensure credibility and objectivity, as well as balance their monitoring roles and respect for authorities during monitoring exercises.
He said the training mainly consists of simulations which will give participants a practical approach to identifying human rights issues in the context of elections.
He said, “The ensuing elections are crucial to the peace and security of our country, and that is why we are conducting this training for you on how to monitor and report on election-related violence before, during, and after the election.”
He added, “These interactive sessions will reflect the need to consider gender in monitoring elections-related activities, including the conduct of male candidates towards female candidates.”
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of INCHR, Urias Teh Pour, encouraged the CSOs to collaborate with the INCHR to monitor and report on human rights issues across the country.
“Our work goes beyond monitoring and reporting. We must ensure justice for the victims while we hold duty bearers accountable for their actions,” the INCHR ED said.
For his part, Ademilola Adesiyun called on the participants to apply a human rights-based approach in all aspects of their duties.
He described human rights monitoring in the context of elections as a method of improving the protection of human rights, noting that its objective is to reinforce the State’s responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights.
“In keeping with the concept of human rights monitoring, human rights monitors collect and verify information on alleged human rights violations, engage with state authorities and other stakeholders to solve human rights problems, and identify solutions to address them,” he said.
Over 4 umbrella organizations, including the National Union of the Disabled (NUOD), WONGOSoL, Youth Exploring Solution (YES), FOHRD, NCSCoL, as well as CSOs Human Rights Platform, are participating in the two-day training.
