RIG provides for the following: Criminalisation of Torture (Art 4 – 14 ), Combating Impunity ( Art 16 a –e), Complaints and Investigation Procedure (

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)

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 place the issues on public view (through campaigns, ‘naming & shaming’, constituency building & mass mobilization, advocacy activities, etc

- Identification and documentation of cases of torture (wider reach and coverage)

- Provision of redress and support to victims of torture

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

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 stillMultiple 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!!!