Pretoria, 26th of October 2017 -The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat gave a one hour presentation on African Human Rights System in Comparative Perspective to over 30 participants from over 15 countries in Africa at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa. The Advanced course on African Human Rights System in Comparative Perspective is an annual course hosted by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria.

The APRM Continental Secretariat was represented by Mr Ferdinand Katendeko, the Chief of Staff; Ms Karabo Chadzingwa, Researcher and Ms Mary Agbebaku-Izobo, Legal Officer. Mr Katendeko started out by outlining the APRM processes in line with Human Rights and Democratization in Africa. He further noted the mandates and objectives of the APRM, as a self-monitoring instrument acceded to by 36 Member States of the African Union, which aims to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices in APRM Member states. As a result, an integral mandate of the APRM is the promotion and protection of human rights in APRM Member States.

Mr Katendeko also posited that the APRM’s work within four thematic areas, namely: Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Management and Governance, Corporate Governance and Socio-Economic Development, specifically requires that APRM Member States sign, ratify and domesticate where necessary International and Regional Human Rights Instruments.

The APRM’s presentation was met with keen interest from the participants, which led to a highlyinteractive session after the presentation.. In closing the session, Professor Frans Viljoen who is the Director of the Centre for Human Rights, thanked the APRM for the presentation and look forward to further collaboration.