Final Communique of the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on
Human and Peoples' Rights
2 – 16 May 2002
Pretoria, South Africa
1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights held its 31st Ordinary Session in Pretoria,
South Africa from May 2nd to 16th, under the chairmanship of Mr Kamel Rezag Bara.
2. The following members attended this Session:
Commissioner Kamel Rezag Bara – Chairperson
Commissioner Jainaba Johm – vice Chairperson
Commissioner Ibrahim Ali Badawi El Sheikh
Commissioner Hatem Ben-Salem
Commissioner Andrew Ranganayi Chigovera
Commissioner Vera Mlangazuwa Chirwa
Commissioner Emmanuel V. O. Dankwa
Commissioner Yaser Sid Ahmed El-Hassan
Commissioner Angela Melo
Commissioner Nyameko Barney Pityana
Commissioner Salamata Sawadogo
3. Before the opening ceremony of the 31st Ordinary Session, the chairman of the African
Commission, Mr Kamel Rezag Bara, called for a minute’s silence in memory of His Excellency Mr Ide
Oumarou, ex-Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), who had recently died.
He recalled that the first very first session of the African Commission was convened by Mr Ide
Oumarou on November 2nd 1987 and that he also inaugurated the African Commission’s
headquarters in June 1989 in
Banjul,The Gambia.
4. The session was officially opened by His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, Deputy President of the
Republic of South Africa.
H.E. Jacob Zuma expressed the pleasure and pride of his country in hosting this 31st Ordinary Session
of the African Commission. He recalled that South Africa had experienced a painful past and that this
made human rights so much more precious.
For almost a decade, the principle of democracy has gained momentum in Africa. NEPAD and the
African Union, which will shortly come into being, represent credible initiatives to bring Africa out of
its present situation. Mr Jacob Zuma urged those States who had not yet done so, to ratify the
Protocol creating an African Court of Human and Peoples Rights.
The Deputy President closed by pledging support for the activities of the African Commission and
urged all civil society organizations to strengthen their relations with the Commission, and its
missions to promote and protect human rights in Africa.
5. During the opening ceremony, addresses were given by H.E. Sga?r Ould M’BARECK, Minister of
Justice of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in his capacity as representative of delegates of States
Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights attending the Session, and by Mr
Mohamed Genedy on behalf of the Non-governmental Organisations
that have observer status with the Commission.
6. The Commission heard statements from several representatives of States Parties, National Human
Rights Institutions, Inter-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other
invited guests.
7. The representatives of the National Human Rights Institutions and the non-governmental
organizations expressed their deep concern about the human rights situation prevailing in numerous
African States despite the efforts made by the Commission through its protection and promotional
mandates. The said member States exercised their right of reply.
8. The members of the Commission presented their inter-sessional activity reports. The Special
Rapporteur on Prisons and Detention Conditions in Africa, Dr Vera Mlangazuwa Chirwa also
presented her report, as did the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Dr Angela
Melo.
9. The African Commission granted affiliate status to the following National Human Rights
Institutions:
The National Committee for Human Rights of Cameroon
The National Commission for Human Rights of Togo
The National Human Rights Initiative of Mauritius
10. The Commission also granted observer status to the following non-governmental organizations:
HURI-LAWS The Human Rights Law Service (Nigeria)
Women in Law in Southern Africa (Zimbabwe)
Groupe Lotus (DRC)
Développement 2000 (Benin)
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (Ghana)
11. The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies in collaboration with Human Rights
Institute of South Africa (HURISA) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, held
an NGO Forum from the 29th April to 1st May 2002 in Pretoria, South Africa. The valuable
contributions which emanated from the Forum were included in the deliberations of the 31st
Ordinary Session.
12. In accordance with Article 62 of the African Charter, Cameroon, Lesotho and Mauritania
presented their Initial Reports, whilst Togo presented its first Periodic Report.
13. In the context of its promotional activities, the Commission confirmed its decision to organise
seminars on the following topics:
Economic, social and cultural rights;
Refugees and displaced persons;
Rights of the people with disability;
The right to education.
Reports were presented on the Workshop on the Prevention of Torture and Ill-Treatment in Africa
and the meeting of the Working Group on the Freedom of expression.
14. The African Commission considered altogether twenty-four (24) communications. Of those 24
Communications, the Commission was seized of eight (8) new Communications and delivered
decisions on inadmissibility on two (2). One Communication was withdrawn by the Complainant.
Thirteen (13) Communications were deliberated upon and deferred to the 32nd Ordinary Session for
further consideration.
15. The African Commission expressed satisfaction with the number of participants who attended its
31st Ordinary Session; there were one hundred and forty-eight (148) delegates from thirty-six (36)
States Parties; twenty-one (21) participants from eight (8) National Human Rights Institutions, two
hundred and eight (208) participants from fifty-one (51) African and International Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) and eighty (80) other invitees. There were a total of four hundred and sixtyone (461)participants.
16. The Commission has decided to hold its 32nd Ordinary Session in Banjul The Gambia from 17th to
31st October 2002; its 33rd Ordinary Session in Côte d’Ivoire; its 34th Ordinary Session in Banjul, The
Gambia and the 35th Ordinary Session in Cameroon.
17. The Commission adopted the following resolutions:
Resolution on the ratification of the Protocol on the Establishment of the African Court on
Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Resolution on the ratification of the Statute on the International Criminal Court by OAU/ AU
Member States.
18. The Commission adopted its 15th Annual Activity Report.
19. The African Commission expressed its sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the government of
South Africa for the facilities put at their disposal and for the generous welcome and hospitality they
had received, which all contributed to the successful outcome of this 31st Ordinary Session.
20. The 31st Ordinary Session was closed on May 16th 2002 by Honourable Dr Penuell Maduna,
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of the Republic of South Africa.
21. The Chairperson of the Commission held a press conference immediately after the closing
ceremony.
Done in Pretoria, South Africa, May 16th 2002.