UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris wrapped up a visit to Addis Ababa, where she co-chaired the official launch of the African Union Accountability and Compliance Framework (AUCF) project. She also participated in the first meeting of the initiative’s Strategic Steering Committee, together with Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, and Birgitte Markussen, Special Representative of the European Union to the African Union. .
The AUCF aims to ensure that AU peace support operations are planned and carried out in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as applicable rules of conduct and discipline.
Noting progress to date on the AU-EU-UN tripartite project in support of the AUCF, which began in February 2022, ASG Brands Kehris said: “I welcome the strong commitment expressed by our three entities to this innovative partnership. and strategy in support of the AU to carry out its Compliance Framework and to reinforce the longstanding efforts of the AU in this regard, subsequent to the PSC/PR/COMM. (DCLXXXIX), adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council on May 30, 2017.”
While in Addis Ababa, Brands Kehris also met bilaterally with Commissioner Bankole to discuss existing and future collaboration between the UN and the AU. She engaged with the member states of the AU Peace and Security Council on the compliance framework initiative, as well as on broader human rights, peace and security issues. The Assistant Secretary-General also met with members of the international community about the compliance framework initiative and to express support for the efforts of the United Nations East Africa Regional Office (EARO) for Human Rights to advance the protection and promotion of human rights in the region. .
