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AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
African Commission on Human & Peoples’
Rights
Commission Africaine des Droits de
l’Homme & des Peuples
No. 31 Bijilo Annex Lay-out, Kombo North District, Western Region, P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia Tel: (220) (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 27th Extraordinary Session of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Banjul, Republic of The Gambia
19 February to 4 March 2020
1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (Commission) held its
27th Extraordinary Session from 19 February to 4 March 2020 in Banjul, The
Gambia.
2. The Commission considered Agenda items, in particular Communications, the
Draft Rules of Procedure, various Reports and other outstanding issues from the
intersession period.
3. The Session was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso,
Chairperson of the Commission, assisted by Honourable Commissioner Rémy
Ngoy Lumbu, Vice-Chairperson.
4. The following Members of the Commission participated in the Session:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson;
Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Vice-Chairperson;
Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga;
Honourable Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie;
Honourable Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor;
Honourable Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute;
Honourable Commissioner Jamesina Essie L. King;
Honourable Commissioner Essaiem Hatem; and
Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela.
5. Honourable Commissioners Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen and Maya SahliFadel were absent with apologies.
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6. The Commission began its deliberations by considering and adopting the
Agenda of the Session.
7. The Commission observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Honourable
Med. S. K. Kaggwa, former Commissioner who passed away on 20 November
2019 in Kampala, Uganda. The Commission paid him a heartfelt tribute for his
constant commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.
8. The Commission considered and adopted with amendments the following
documents:
i. Report of the Chairperson on the meetings of AU Policy Organs held in
January and February 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
ii. 2020 Rules of Procedure of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’
Rights;
iii. Report of the Advisory Committee on Budgetary and Staff Matters; and
iv. Rules on the Establishment and Functioning of Special Mechanisms of the
Commission.
9. The Commission considered and adopted the report of the promotion mission to
the Kingdom of Lesotho undertaken from 8 to 13 October 2018.
10. The Commission considered and made comments on the following documents:
i. Report on Audit of Communications;
ii. Report of the Secretariat on Follow-up Actions from the 65th Ordinary
Session of the Commission;
iii. Proposal on the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan of the Commission;
iv. Request from UNESCO to Establish a Working Group on the Protection of
Journalists in Africa;
v. Proposal on the Need to Undertake a Study on African Human Rights
Defenders in Exile; and
vi. Rules for Effective Consultation by the ACHPR with Stakeholders on Norm
Elaboration.
11. The Commission was provided an update on the following items:
i. European Union Support Project for the Strengthening of the African Human
Rights System (PANAF Project); and
ii. Draft 2021 Project Proposal and Budget of the Commission.
12. The Commission was briefed on the outcome of the Sensitization Seminar on the
Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women in Africa that was held from
17 to 19 December 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.
13. The Commission considered a total of forty-six (46) Communications:
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i. Eight (8)Communications on Seizure: the Commission decided to be seized of
seven (7), including one (1) with Provisional Measures, and dismissed one (1);
ii. Thirty-three (33)Communications on Admissibility: the Commission declared
three (3) admissible and thirty (30) joint Communications inadmissible;
iii. Three (3) Communications on Merits: the Commission adopted a decision on
all the three Communications;
iv. One (1)Request for Withdrawal of a Communication: the Commission took
note and closed the case; and
v. One (1)Request for Review of a Merits Decision: the Commission dismissed
the request.
14. The Commission was provided an update on developments regarding an
Application that is pending before the African Court on Human and Peoples’
Rights.
15. The Commission adopted the following six (6) Resolutions:
i. Resolution on the Post-Election Crisis in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
ii. Resolution on the Extension of the Deadline for the Submission of the Draft
Study on the Situation of Africa’s Sacred Natural Sites and Territories;
iii. Resolution on the Need to Develop a Study on the Situation of African
Human Rights Defenders in Exile;
iv. Resolution on the Need to Develop Guidelines for Shadow Reporting;
v. Resolution on the Need to Develop norms on the Obligations of States to
Regulate Private Actors Involved in the Provision of Social Services; and
vi. Resolution on the Need to Prepare a Study on the Use of Force by Law
Enforcement Officials in Africa.
16. The Commission organised a retreat with staff members of the Secretariat. The
Commission agreed to work on proposals for addressing the issues affecting the
proper functioning of the Commission. The Commission decided to
institutionalise an annual retreat.
17. The Bureau of the Commission and the Commissioner responsible for monitoring
the human rights situation in The Gambia held a working session with Hon.
Abubacarr Tambadou, Attorney-General and Minister of Justiceof the Republic of
The Gambia on 27 February 2020.
18. The Commission expressed its profound gratitude to its outgoing Members,
Honourable Commissioners Soyata Maïga, Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen,
Lucy Asuagbor and Lawrence Murugu Mute; for their tremendous contribution
to the promotion and protection of human rights on the African continent.
19. The Commission decided to hold its 66th Ordinary Session from 22 April to 12
May 2020 in Banjul, The Gambia. The Commission also decided to hold its 28th
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Extraordinary Session from 23 July to 8 August 2020 in Banjul, The Gambia.
20. The Commission expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government and people of
the Republic of The Gambia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to
the Members of the Commission during the 27th Extraordinary Session.
Done in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, on 4 March 2020
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