AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights
Commission Africaine des Droits de l’Homme & des
Peuples
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, Western Region , P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: (220) 4410505 / 4410506; Fax: (220) 4410504
E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org; Web www.achpr.org
Final Communiqué of the 12th Extra-Ordinary Session of the African
Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Algiers,
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
30 July – 04 August 2012
1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the
Commission) held its 12th Extra-Ordinary Session from 30 July to 4 August
2012, in Algiers, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
2. The following Commissioners attended and participated in the 12th ExtraOrdinary Session:
Honourable Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki, Chairperson;
Honourable
Commissioner
Kayitesi
Zainabo
Sylvie,
Vice-
Chairperson;
Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou;
Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maiga;
Honourable Commissioner Mohamed Béchir Khalfallah;
Honourable Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor;
Honourable Commissioner Med S. K. Kaggwa;
Honourable Commissioner Pacifique Manirakiza; and
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Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel.
3. Honorable Commissioner Pansy Tlakula and Commissioner Yeung Kam
John Sik Yuen were absent with apologies.
4. The Session was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Catherine Dupe
Atoki, Chairperson of the Commission.
5. Following the opening remarks of the Chairperson, the Commission
discussed and adopted the Agenda of the Session.
6. The Chairperson briefed Members of the Commission on the outcome of
the 24th Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee, the 21st
Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 19th Summit of the
Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
7. The Chairperson informed Members that the Commission could not
present its Report to the Executive Council in July 2012 because of
Executive Council Decisions Numbers EX.CL DEC/655-7, adopted in
Malabo, which require the named AU Organs to present only one Report
per year before the Assembly.
8. On budgetary matters the Chairperson informed Members that the
Summit approved only a two-percent increase on the Operational Budget
of the Commission, and that no allocation had been made from Member
States’ contributions for the Commission’s program activities. The
Chairperson indicated this will pose a challenge for the program activities
of the Commission, as well as for staff recruitment.
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9. With regards to the fact that no provision had been made for the Programs
Budget for 2013, the Chairperson indicated that the Summit had
encouraged the Commission to seek funding from partners.
10. The Commission discussed Executive Council Decision, EX.CL/DEC.689
(XX) which requests the “Commission to carry out a Mission to the
occupied territories of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) with a
view to investigate human rights violations and to report to the next
Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in January 2013.” The
Commission decided to undertake the said Mission from 24 to 28
September 2012.
11. The Commission discussed Assembly Decision, Assembly/AU Dec1.1
(XX0 of July 2012, which calls upon “the Commission to investigate the
human rights situation in northern Mali, including the atrocities
committed against the Malian military and their families in Aguel’hoc, in
January 2012, and to submit a comprehensive report with concrete
recommendations on the way forward before the Assembly of Heads of
State and Governments.” The Commission decided to undertake the said
Mission in 2012, conditions permitting.
12. The Commission reviewed the draft Memorandum of Understanding
between the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
and the Commission on the monitoring of the trial of Jean Bosco
Uwinkindi in Rwanda.
13. The Commission considered and adopted the Reports of the following:
i.
Working Group on Communications;
ii.
Audit of Communications;
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iii.
Preparation of the 25th Anniversary of the Commission; and
iv.
The Pre-mission to Cote d’ lvoire.
14. The Commission adopted the Reports of the 49th and 50th Ordinary
Sessions, as well as that of the 12th Extra-Ordinary Session
15. The Commission examined Eighteen (18) Communications:
a. Eight (8) on Seizure;
b. Four (4) on Admissibility;
c. One (1) on Merits;
d. One (1) on Review;
e. Three (3) on Provisional Measures; and
f. One
(1)
concerning
implementation
of
the
Commission’s
recommendations.
16. The Commission considered and adopted the following Mission Reports:
i.
The Promotion Mission to the Central African Republic; and
ii.
The Promotion Mission undertaken by the Committee for the
Prevention of Torture in Africa to the Islamic Republic of
Mauritania.
17. The Commission adopted Concluding Observations on the following
Periodic Reports from State Parties:
i.
The Combined Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Periodic Reports of
the Republic of Angola; and
ii.
The Combined Fourth and Fifth Periodic Reports of the Republic of
Sudan.
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18. The Commission considered the “Manual for the Promotion and
Protection of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples/Communities” aimed at
providing a tool for advocacy on the rights of indigenous people in Africa.
19. The Commission expresses its gratitude to the German Agency for
International Cooperation for supporting the 12th Extra-Ordinary Session
of the Commission.
20. The Commission expresses its profound gratitude to the Government and
People of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria for the hospitality
extended to the Commission, which contributed considerably to the
success of the 12th Extra-Ordinary Session.
Done in Algiers, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, 4 August 2012
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