National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from 12 West African countries have reaffirmed their commitment to justice and reparations for Africans and people of African descent.

At the Seventh Regional Consultation of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA), held in Abuja, the group, in a communique released after the meeting, called for the adoption of alternative sentencing frameworks and respect for limits on preventive detention.

Themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations: The Role of NHRIs,” the meeting emphasised the role of human rights bodies in shaping regional responses to historic and present injustices, transitional justice, migration, civic space, and detention conditions.

Organised by the NNHRI-WA under the auspices of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and in collaboration with ECOWAS, OHCHR-WARO, and UNOWAS, the consultation produced key resolutions, including a strong call for the reinstatement of NHRIs in Guinea and Niger, enhanced NHRI participation in lawmaking, and inclusion of reparative justice in strategic planning.

Participants urged governments to support the mandates of NHRIs, especially unhindered access to detention facilities in line with the OPCAT.

In a major outcome, the meeting elected new officers of the Network, with Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s NHRC, emerging as President.

Other elected officials include Prof. Amsatou Sow Sidibe (Senegal, Vice President), Cllr. Charles Harris (Liberia, Treasurer), M. Serge Prince Agbodjan (Benin, General Secretary), and representatives from Mali, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau as Publicity Secretaries.

The Network also pledged to support ECOWAS in finalising a regional transitional justice handbook and reaffirmed its role in treaty reporting, UPR processes, and promoting migrant rights.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to deepen collaboration with ECOWAS, OHCHR-WARO, and UNOWAS to strengthen human rights governance across West Africa.