The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) has called for the strengthening of partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), to protect refugees and stateless persons within the sub-region.

CCJ’s vice-president, Justice Gberi-bè Ouattara, made made the call on Friday in Abuja while playing host to a high-level delegation from the UNHCR.

Mr Ouattara, who represented the president of the court, Justice Edward Asante, underscored the need for stronger partnership between the two institutions because of the immense benefits.

He called for deeper collaboration with the UNHCR in the area of access to justice and human rights protection, which, he said, were the collective mandates of both organisations.

Mr Ouattara, who described the UNHCR as the court’s friend, noted that UNHCR plays a crucial role, particularly in the court’s cases involving refugees and stateless persons.

According to him, such a collaboration makes it possible for UNHCR to provide technical expertise to affected individuals in legal proceedings, thus strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights in the region.

Mr Ouattara also expressed the gratitude of the court to UNHCR for its continued commitment to protecting human rights globally.

Responding, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, UNHCR assistant high commissioner in charge of protection, expressed the organisation’s appreciation to the ECOWAS Court for the strong collaboration and synergy between both parties.

She welcomed the court’s commitment to the implementation of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both organisations.

Ms Menikdiwela noted that the agreement allows UNHCR to submit expert opinions and interventions on cases of importance for the protection of refugees and stateless persons.

She further advocated for the continuous implementation of the MoU while noting the importance of leveraging information-sharing mechanism between the court and UNHCR.

Ms Menikdiwela explained that this aimed at facilitating closer and more effective cooperation on legal cases affecting the rights of persons of concern.

UNHCR’s delegation to the court included Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, regional director, West and Central Africa; Herve Kuate, senior advisor in charge of liaison with ECOWAS and ECCAS, Abuja.

Others were Lara Scholterbeck, external relations officer (West and Central Africa Regional Office); and Joan Ogu, an assistant.

The meeting ended with the exchange of gifts between both sides.

(NAN)