March 2004: National Human Rights Institutions and Legislatures: Building an Effective Relationship: The Abuja Guidelines

Representatives of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Parliaments from ten Commonwealth countries came together for a workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, from 22 to 25 March 2004.

The workshop aimed to explore the ways in which NHRIs and Parliaments can work together, and support each other, for the better protection and promotion of human rights. Building on the Best Practice for NHRIs developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2001, the workshop discussed and agreed The Abuja Guidelines on the Relationship Between Parliaments, Parliamentarians and Commonwealth NHRIs, to provide a suitable basis for the effective development of such relationships.

The workshop was organised by the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, the Committee on Human Rights of the Nigerian House of Representatives, The Legal Resources Consortium of Nigeria and the British Council. Financial support was provided by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Read The Abuja Guidelines here.

The report on the workshop can be accessed here, together with the presentations made during the programme.