SECOND EDITION OF THE LOCAL INITIATIVE FOR JUSTICE: It’s back!

Activities for the second edition of Local Initiative for Justice (LIFJ) resumed on Saturday 13 February 2020. After a forced break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AfricTivistes restarted LIFJ, part of its ICT4Justice programme, with a workshop in Cotonou, Benin, organised by the “Voix et Actions Citoyennes” organisation.

The second edition of “Local Initiative for Justice” is now under way, after its activities were suspended in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Benin kicks things off with a WORKSHOP organised by “Voix et Actions Citoyennes”. The workshop opened a discussion on the challenges facing civil society and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in relation to restrictions on civic space in the digital age.

The workshop also gave participants an overview of restrictions on digital rights and the prospects for easing the relevant legislation. It highlighted the need to promote and protect digital freedom and human rights in Africa.

Participants were also equipped with knowledge of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ mechanisms, to help make the protection of human rights and civil liberties in the Republic of Benin more effective.

Following the Local Initiative for Justice call for project proposals under AfricTivistes’ ICT4Justice programme, 30 applications were received. Five projects were ultimately selected, including one from the Beninese organisation “Voix et Actions Citoyennes”.

After Benin, organisations in Guinea, Niger and the Central African Republic will roll out their projects. All of them address justice-related issues and examine the role and mechanisms of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It is worth noting that the first edition of Local Initiative for Justice (LIFJ) supported projects in three Central African countries—Congo, Cameroon and Gabon—and two West African countries—Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Through the ICT4Justice programme, AfricTivistes aims to help people better understand the Commission’s mandate, role and work. The programme also seeks to establish a space for dialogue, exchange and debate on human and peoples’ rights. In addition, it helps strengthen the ACHPR’s independence and integrity in the face of threats from the African Union Executive Council.