Final Communique of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on
Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights held its Second Ordinary Session in
Dakar, Senegal, from 8 to 13 February 1988 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Isaac NGUEMA.
1. Present at the Session were the following members,
Messrs:
Dr. Ibrahim Ali Badawi EL-SHEIKH
Ali Mahmoud Blondin BEYE
Alexis GABOU
Robert Habesh Kisanga
M. D. MOKAMA
C.L.C.
MUBANGA-CHIPOYA
Youssoupha NDIAYE
Sourahata B. Semega JANNEH
2. The opening Session was presided over by His Excellency Mr. Ibrahima FALL,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing His Excellency Mr,Abdou DIOUF,
President of the Republic of Senegal.
3. Dr. Sylvestre NZANZIMANA, Assistant Secretary-General, addressed the
Commission on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Ide OUMAROU, Secretary-General of
the OAU.
4. The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Isaac NGUEMA, took the floor to welcome,
on behalf of his colleagues, all the participants to the opening ceremony which was
also attended by the Diplomatic Corps.
5. After the opening ceremony, the Commission, pursuing its proceedings, considered
and adopted the following agenda:
a. Opening of the Meeting
b. Organisation of Work
c. Adoption of the report of the First Session
d. Brief information on the inter-Session
e. Consideration of the Draft Rules of Procedure of the Commission
f. Programme of future activities of the Commission
g. Adoption of the Final Communiqué
h. Date and venue of the next Session
i. Any other Business
j. Closing Session
6. The Commission adopted the report of its First Ordinary Session, held in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, on 2 November 1988, at which Mr, Isaac NGUEMA was elected
Chairman and Mr, Ibrahim Ali BADAWI EL-SHEIKH, Vice-Chairman of the
Commission.
7. The Commission then considered and adopted its Rules of Procedures comprising 120
Rules. Part I entitled "General Provisions" Deals with the organisation and functioning
of the Commission Part II regulate the functions of the Commission by stressing
particularly the Rules of Procedure which should govern communications. The
promotional and protectional activities relating to human and Peoples' Rights were
described in detail in the Rules of Procedure. The Commission decided to edit and
publish its Rules of Procedure and Charter in a booklet. A Financial Rules and
Regulations would be attached to the said Rules of Procedures
8. The Commission also drew up, discussed and adopted a draft future Programme of
Action. A wide-range programme for the promotion of Human and Peoples' Rights
was also formulated and would be widely disseminated. The programme which would
be implemented at successive stages, took the form of catalogue of actions, the salient
points of which were:
extensive popularisation of the Charter and the Rules of Procedures;
promotion of human rights through education, teaching, communication and
exchanges;
drawing up of models of periodical reports from State parties and of Annual
Report of the Commission;
establishment of an appropriate reception infrastructure;
Permanent dialogue with all the organisations which could relay and sustain
the actions of the Commission
9. The Chairman of the Commission reported on all the activities he undertook during
the inter-Session. They were approved by the Commission which also considered the
method of carrying out its activities during the inter-session.
10. The Commission received the various requests sent through the Secretary-General. A
method was defined for their consideration and investigation.
11. The Commission pondered at the length over the organisation of Its Secretariat and the
resources it needed to be able to carry out fully its task. Proposals would be made in
this direction to the Secretary-General of the OAU.
12. Dr. IBRAHIM A. BADAWI EL-SHEIKH, Vice-Chairman of the Commission read
out the vote of thanks addressed to the President of the Republic of Senegal, his
government and the people of Senegal
13. The Commission decided to hold its next Session in Libreville During the first half of
April 1988, at a date to be fixed later on.
14. The Closing ceremony was chaired by H. E. Mr. SEYDOU MADANISY, Minister of
Justice, representing H. E. Mr. ABDOU DIOUF, President of the Republic of Senegal.
Done at Dakar, 13th February, 1988
The Commission