AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Commission Africaine des Droits
de l’Homme & des Peuples
African Commission on Human
& Peoples’ Rights
No. 31 Bijilo Annex Lay-out, Kombo North District, Western Region, P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia ,Tel:
(220) 441 05 05 /441 05 06, Fax: (220) 441 05 04 E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org; Web www.achpr.org
Final Communiqué of the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Dakar, Republic of Senegal
29 July – 7 August 2017
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1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission) held its 22nd
Extraordinary Session from 29 July to 7 August 2017 in Dakar, Republic of Senegal.
2. The Session was convened to consider Communications and other urgent outstanding
matters from the previous Sessions
3. The Session was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson
of the Commission, assisted by Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga, ViceChairperson.
4. The 22nd Extraordinary Session was attended by the following members of the
Commission:
i.
Honourable Commissioner Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson;
ii.
Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga, Vice-Chairperson;
iii.
Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou;
iv.
Honourable Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie;
v.
Honourable Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor;
vi.
Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel;
vii.
Honourable Commissioner Med S.K. Kaggwa;
viii.
Honourable Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute;
ix.
Honourable Commissioner Jamesina Essie L. King;
x.
Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso.
5. Honourable Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen was absent with
apologies.
6.
At the beginning of its deliberations, the Commission observed a minute of silence in
memory of H.E. Kamel Rezag-Bara, former Chairperson of the Commission, who
passed away on 25 July 2017 in Algiers.
7. Following the adoption of the agenda, Honourable Commissioner Pansy Tlakula
presented a report on the meetings of AU policy organs held during the African Union
Summit of 27 June to 4 July 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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8. The Members of the Commission discussed the report of the Secretariat on the
implementation of follow-up actions from the 60th Ordinary Session of the
Commission.
9. The Commission discussed the preparations for the 30th Anniversary celebration of
the Commission to be held during the 61st Ordinary Session scheduled for 1 to 15
November 2017 in Banjul, The Gambia.
10. The Commission considered the report on progress made in the implementation of
the project on strengthening the African human rights system (PANAF project).
11. The Commission followed and made observations on a presentation regarding the
development of a Communication Strategy under the PANAF project.
12. The Commission also discussed the preparations for the regional seminar on the
implementation of concluding observations and other decisions of the Commission
scheduled for 12 to 15 August 2017 in Dakar, Senegal.
13. The Commission considered and adopted the following documents:
i.
Report of the Working Group on Communications;
ii.
Communications Audit;
iii.
Paper on Article 58 of the African Charter.
14. The Commission considered the Draft Amendments to the Rules of Procedure, mainly
the provisions relating to Communications.
15. The Commission also considered and made observations on the Draft Format of
Reports on Promotion Missions of the Commission.
16. During the Session, the Commission considered twenty-seven (27) Communications,
including:
i.
Six (6) Communications on Seizure: the Commission was seized of three (3),
including granting two (2) requests for Provisional Measures, and dismissed
three (3);
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ii.
Five (5) Communications for Strike-out: the Commission struck-out two (2)
and deferred three (3);
iii.
Five (5) Communications on Admissibility: the Commission declared three (3)
admissible and two (2) inadmissible;
iv.
Five (5) Communications on Merits: the Commission adopted one (1) and
deferred four (4);
v.
The Commission also gave guidance on five (05) Communications and
deferred one (01) for additional information.
17. The Commission expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government and people of the
Republic of Senegal for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the members
of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights during the 22nd
Extraordinary Session.
Done in Dakar, Republic of Senegal, on 7 August 2017
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