Review of the Grievance and Redress Mechanism, Garamba National Park, DRC

In March 2024, the Protection LAB conducted a mission to Nagero, the HQ of the Garamba National Park (PNG), situated in Eastern DRC. We conducted field visits and consultations with local communities, civil society actors, including women-led organisations, local authorities and the penal chain in the surroundings of the PNG. This was followed by a series of internal discussions and workshops with the park management, park rangers, legal as well as community development specialists. An updated Grievance and Redress Mechanism is currently being rolled out as a result, jointly between the National Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) and African Parks.

First online training of trainers (ToT) on human rights for rangers in Africa 

From June to August 2023, the Protection LAB facilitated a first free online training of trainers on human rights for Africa. Over 30 law enforcement managers, lawyers and rangers took part in the training sessions. During the course, participants acquired the basic human rights knowledge applicable to conservation and were able to exchange respective field experiences, exercise their knowledge with concrete case studies and scenario-based exercises, as well as develop their training and facilitation skills - To receive the training report, please contact us)

Launch of the Human Rights Training Manual for Rangers

On 30 July 2023, World Rangers' day, we have launched our joint WCS - CEDAMM - Protection LAB Human Rights training manual for rangers trainers and supervisors in Central Africa. This manual is the result of a joined-up effort involving some of the main conservation actors in central Africa, including national institutions, training centres and NGOs, either leading, managing or supporting the work of rangers in protected areas.

Participation to the International Congress for Conservation Biology

On 23-25 July, we took part in the ICCB 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. Specifically, the Protection LAB joined the discussions of the Conservation Social Safeguards Symposium, including with a view to establishing a community of practice on social safeguards and human rights in conservation. To this aim, the Protection LAB shared its experience in launching a community of practice on Rangers human rights training in central Africa.

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Human Rights training for Rangers in Benin

In October 2022, we supported African Parks to develop and conduct a one-week human rights training for park rangers, human rights focal points and managers of the Panjari and W parks in northern Benin. During the training, participants learned the basic concepts of human rights and humanitarian law, but also the applicable Benin normative and legal frameworks; they also identified the adequate conduct and response to situations and threats they are confronted with in their context, practiced their knowledge through scenario-based exercises and role play, and exchanged experience on how to best contribute to the protection of local community members.

Community of practice on human rights training for Rangers in central Africa

In March 2022, we initiated a working group on human rights training for rangers with conservation actors - institutions, training centres and NGOs - operating in or in support of protected areas of central Africa. The group initially aimed at informing the development of the Ranger Human Right Training Manual. It has now been turned into a permanent online forum and community of practice on human rights for rangers.

Regional human rights compliance framework for conservation staff and park rangers in the ECCAS Region (central Africa)

In 2021-2022, the Protection LAB was appointed by the ECOFAC 6 (joint ECCAS - EU) programme to conduct a study to support the development of a regional human rights compliance framework for conservation staff and park rangers in central Africa. During the study, our team took part in multiple field visits and held consultations with members and leaders of local communities, indigenous peoples, but also local officials, defence and security forces, as well as NGO and civil society partners. The main conclusions of the study were presented at the July 2022 Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) conference in Libreville, Gabon and its recommendations endorsed by ECCAS. For more details, see here

Study on the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, DRC 

In 2022, the Protection LAB conducted a study on the political, security and human context of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, South Kivu Province, DRC.

Study on the perceptions and operational experience of park rangers in conservation areas of central Africa

In 2021 and 2022, the Protection LAB conducted a study on the perceptions and operational experience of park rangers in conservation areas of central Africa. This study was informed by interview conducted with both female and male Rangers, managers and trainers operating in Central African countries.

For more information and to receive a copy of our study, please contact us.