Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions

Established in 2002, the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions (Association francophone des commissions nationales des droits de l’Homme -AFCNDH) is a network of national human rights institutions in the French-speaking countries. The network is supported by the Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

The Association is governed by the French legislation regarding non-profit organizations (associations). Its main-office is registered in Paris.

The AFCNDH was established upon a recommendation of the International Symposium on the outcome of practices of democracy, human rights and freedoms in the French-speaking communities (Bamako Declaration: November 2000). The Network aims to promote the role of national human rights institutions and encourages the creation of new institutions. It seeks to be a platform for sharing and exchange among the member institutions. It provides training to the members and staff of national institutions. It also aims to contribute to implementing the monitoring mechanisms provided for in Chapter 5 of the Bamako Declaration, which shall monitor and assess the practices of democracy, human rights and freedoms in the French-speaking communities.

The Association’s Board of Directors decides over its activities and financing. The Association aims to strengthen ties and cooperation among NHRIs in the French-speaking communities, so that each can learn from the experience of the other institutions. It also aims to support and develop their actions at the national level so that they can take root within their respective national institutional landscapes.

The (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council was elected to chair the network, at the Association’s General Meeting, held on the sidelines of its fourth conference, on 5 October 2012 in Casablanca. The Mauritanian National Human Rights Commission was elected Vice-President of the Association.

The President, the Vice -President and the other members of the Board of Directors of the Association are elected for a renewable term of two years.

More information on www.afcndh.org.