The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), led by Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adello, participated in the Steering Committee and General Assembly Meeting of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) as well as the 15th Biennial Conference of NANHRI, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from February 04 to 06, 2026.
In line with Article 56 of the NANHRI Constitution, the Biennial Conference is hosted on a rotational basis amongst the different sub-regions of Africa, with East Africa, expected to host the 2027 Conference. The Conference brings together diverse stakeholders from across the continent including national human rights institutions (NHRI), African Union human rights organs, civil society, human rights experts and practitioners, the academia, and others, to discuss pertinent human rights issues and chart collective pathways forward.
During the General Assembly Meeting, EHRC was unanimously elected to host the 16th NANHRI Biennial Conference and the General Assembly Meeting in 2027, a decision which also makes EHRC the Vice Chairperson of NANHRI. EHRC fully met the criteria to host the 16th Biennial Conference as an A-status NHRI in East Africa that is fully compliant with the Paris Principles and is in good standing with NANHRI’s membership obligations.
The unanimous election of EHRC further reflects NANHRI Members’ strong confidence in EHRC’s commitment to human rights and its capacity to successfully organise a large congregation of human rights professionals, in Africa’s diplomatic hub and capital, Addis Ababa.
Moreover, EHRC was elected as a member of the newly established NANHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights in view of its active engagement in the area and considering its critical contribution to the ongoing development of Ethiopia’s draft National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adello noted that organizing the Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which is the seat of various regional and international actors including the African Union and key United Nations Offices, would allow NANHRI to convey its key messages to the appropriate stakeholders for greater impact.
Finally, the Chief Commissioner underscored EHRC’s readiness and commitment to successfully host the 2027 Biennial Conference and General Assembly in collaboration with NANHRI and its Members.