The United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa is organizing from October 28 to 30 2009, a three day conference on the theme “Towards the consolidation of Democracy in central Africa”. The Conference takes place in the Equato-Guinean capital Malabo.

The United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa is organizing from October 28 to 30 2009, a three day conference on the theme “Towards the consolidation of Democracy in central Africa”. The Conference which takes place in the Equato-Guinean capital Malabo will bring together government representatives, heads of electoral commissions, civil society and NGO representatives, academicians and media personalities from all countries of the central African sub region including Rwanda.
During the conference, participants will listen to presentations on the basic concepts of Democracy; the different forms of democratic governments and their modes of operation; democratic governance, link between standards and constitutional and institutional practices; electoral systems in the light of international mechanisms, stakes and democratic guarantees; and principal actors in a democracy, roles and responsibilities in the consolidation of the democratic process. Participants will also share their experiences in country by country presentations that will enable the resource persons to guide the proposal of a program of action towards the eventual attainment of the overall objective of the conference.
The conference falls within the framework of the centre’s mandate to support member countries of the sub region in the strengthening and reinforcement of the capacities of their democracy and governance institutions. It will also serve as an occasion to examine the level of democratic practice in the sub region in relation to other parts of the continent, draw lessons, share best practices and adopt a common plan for enhancing and consolidating democratic achievements.
The conference comes one month after the celebration of the 2009 edition of the world democracy day during which the United Nations High commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Navy Pillay pointed at impunity, corruption, denial of access to justice for disadvantaged groups, conflict and disorder as key challenges to democracy. She enjoined states to do more to uphold their human rights obligations even in the face of national emergencies, including outright conflicts, fight against all forms of corruption which undermine democratic values and institutions, degrade the enjoyment of rights, and impair the ability of the States to implement human rights, in particular, economic and social rights.
As a clear justification of the holding of this conference and the commitment of the UN office of the High commissioner for Human Rights to support democracy enhancement actions, Ms. Pillay said “… OHCHR stands ready to provide the necessary cooperation and support to all countries striving to counter democracy deficits through the protection of human rights and the rule of law; access to justice by all, especially the most vulnerable segments of the society; the empowerment of disadvantaged groups and of civil society; and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms”.
Close to 45 participants from 11 countries including 7 resource persons and facilitators will descend on Malabo for this event which is the first of its kind in the sub region.

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