Marrakech Declaration Scorecard

Welcome to your Marrakech Declaration Scorecard

Marrakech Declaration Scorecard – Overview and User Guide

Purpose
The Marrakech Declaration Scorecard is a practical tool that helps National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and stakeholders assess how effectively African states are meeting their human rights obligations, particularly in protecting Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), including Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs). Rooted in the Marrakech Declaration and its Regional Action Plan, the Scorecard supports evidence-based monitoring and advocacy.

Who Can Use It?
While primarily intended for NHRIs, the Scorecard is also useful for civil society organizations (CSOs), state agencies, UN and African human rights mechanisms, NGOs, academics, journalists, lawyers, and private sector actors. It encourages a multi-stakeholder, collaborative approach to accountability.

Development Methodology
The Scorecard was created through a combination of desk research and interviews with stakeholders such as NHRIs in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania, along with civil society representatives. It draws from international, regional, and national human rights instruments and relevant reports.

How to Use the Scorecard: Five-Step Process

1. Preliminary Review
Designate focal persons within the NHRI to lead the review and assessment. A small, diverse team helps ensure accuracy and objectivity.

2. Data Collection
Collect relevant materials, including NHRI reports, legal texts, policy documents, and media sources. Supplement with interviews, workshops, or focus groups if needed.

3. Scoring Process
Sections: Promotion, Protection, and Cooperation & Partnerships

Scoring Scales:

Promotion & Cooperation:

Scoring scale
3	2	1
Good	Average	Poor

Protection (Objectives 1 & 2):

0 (Good), -1 (Average), -2 (Poor)

Instructions: Justify each score with supporting evidence and provide actionable recommendations.

3. Validation & Dissemination
Present findings in a validation meeting with State and/or non-State actors. Disseminate results to promote transparency and support broader engagement.

4. Advocacy
Use the recommendations to develop targeted advocacy strategies aimed at closing gaps and strengthening State compliance with the Marrakech Declaration and related human rights frameworks.

Outcome
The Scorecard offers a clear, structured approach to evaluating State performance on HRD protection. It strengthens evidence-based advocacy and supports national and regional efforts to uphold human rights.

Name

Organization

Country

Ratify and implement all international human rights instruments.

Performance Indicators:

Ratify and implement all international human rights instruments. Signature and ratification of core human rights instruments at the UN and African levels. * Consistent reporting on the status of implementation before the relevant treaty monitoring bodies including the Human Rights Council at the UN and the African Commission or the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

Good (3) – State ratification of all or at least 80% of core human rights treaties and protocols at the UN and AU levels. The State consistently engages with State reporting procedures under the UN, African Commission and ACERWC evidenced by up-to-date submission of periodic national reports. The State reports and other supplementary documents reveal positive progress in implementing the recommendations of monitoring and enforcement bodies.

Average (2) - State ratification of at least 60% of core human rights treaties and protocols at the UN and AU levels. There is evidence of moderate State engagement with State reporting procedures under the UN, African Commission and ACERWC, such as recently overdue periodic State reports. The State reports and other supplementary documents reveal moderate progress in implementing the recommendations of monitoring and enforcement bodies.

Poor (1) - State ratification of less than 60% of core human rights treaties and protocols at the UN and AU levels. There is limited evidence of State engagement with State reporting procedures under the UN, African Commission and ACERWC evidenced by long overdue periodic State reports. The State reports and other supplementary documents reveal poor compliance with the recommendations of monitoring and enforcement bodies when reporting happens.

Rationale and Sources

Recommendations