1st Activity Report
1
1st ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION
ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES' RIGHTS*
Adopted on 28 April 1988
Covering the period from November 1987 through Aprill988
(1st to 3rd Session)
REPORT
I. Organization of work and any other business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. Status of Ratifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Sessions and Agenda .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ... . . . .. .. .. . .
C. Composition and Participation ................... :. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D. Solemn Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E. Election of the Chairman, and the Vice-Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F. Any other business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G. Adoption of the Activity Report ... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
II. General Observations of the Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. Rules of Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Promotional Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C. Protection Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D. Other Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
III. Consideration of Periodic Reports submitted by Member States
pursuant to Article 62 of the Charter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV. Consideration of Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
V. Next Sessions .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. . .... .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ....
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1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
ANNEXES
I. Status of Ratifications ............................................................ . 5
II. Members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights .. . 6
III. Agendas of the three Sessions of the Commission
(Addis Ababa, Dakar, Libreville) ............................................. . 7
IV. Solemn Declaration (Article 38 of the Charter) ............................ . 7
V. Rules of Procedure ................................................................ . 8
VI. Recommendation on Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
VII. Recommendation on the Financial Rules and Regulations governing
the Functioning of the Commission ............................................ 25
VIII. Programme of Action of the Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . 27
IX. Recommendation on Periodic Reports .................... , ................... 27
X. Communications: Procedures (Reg1'ter Forms) ............................. 29
I. Organization of work and any other business
A. Status of Ratifications
1. As at 28 April I()SX. date of the closing of the Third Session of the African
Commission on Fluman and Peoples' Rights, there were 35 States Parties to the
* Cf. further Isaac Nguema, Presentation of the 1st Activity Report to the OAU, French
text in: Documentation No 1, p. 87.
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1st Activay Report
African Chartar on Human and Peoples' Rights, the instrument adopted by the
18th Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Nairobi from 24 to 27
June 1981, and opened immediately for signature and for ratification or adhesion.
2. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights entered into force on 21
October 1986 in accordance with the provisions of Article 63 (3).
3. The list of States parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
Rights is contained in Annex I of the present report (see below at p. 5).
B. Sessions and Agenda
4. Since the solemn ceremony of 2 November 1987 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights has held three (3)
sessions:
- the First Session took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 2 November 1987;
- the Second Session was held in Dakar, Senegal, from 8 to 13 February 1988;
- the Third Session was held in Libreville, Gabon, from 18 to 28 April1988.
5. The agenda of each of these Sessions is contained in Annex III (see below at
p. 7).
C. Composition and Participation
6. The eleven members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples'
Rights were elected during the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads
of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pursuant to Article 33
of the Charter. The election was held in accordance with Articles 36 and 37 of the
Charter. The list of the members of the Commission is contained in Annex II (see
below at p. 6). All the members of the Commission attended the 3 Sessions,
except however that:
- Mr. Mabanga-Chipoya was absent at the First Session with apology;
- Mr. Grace Ibingira was absent at the Second Session with apology;
- Mr. Grace Ibingira was absent at the Third Session.
D. Solemn Declaration
7. At the First Session convened by the Secretary-General of the OAU,
pursuant to the provisions of Article 64 (2) of the Charter, the elected members
of the Commission made solemn declarations before taking office pursuant to
Article 38 of the Charter.
8. The text of the solemn declaration is contained in Annex IV (see below at
p. 7).
E. Election of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman
9. At its First Session on 2 November, 1987, the Commission elected a
Chairman and a Vice-Chairman in conformity with the provisions of Article 42 of
the Charter:
Chairman:
Mr. Isaac NGUEMA
Vice-Chairman: Mr. Ibrahim Ali Badawi El SHEIKH
10. In accordance with the provisions of Article 41 of the Charter, the OAU
Secretary-General appointed Mrs. Esther Tchouta-Moussa, OA U Legal
Adviser, Secretary to the Commission.
11. The Secretary-General of the OAU, who attended all the sittings of the First
Session, also provided the Commission with all the information it needed in order
to carry out its mission. He encouraged it and expressed his readiness to assist.
The Commission extended its congratulations and gratitude to him.
Jst Activity Report
3
F. Any Other Business
12. At each of its three Sessions held since its establishment, the Commission
considered various issues concerning its functionrng, methods of work and
programme of action. The general information g1vc:n by the Chairman of the
Commission at the Second and Third Sessions v.e1e noted and discussed by
members of the Commission. The reports of the three Sessions dealt with all the
other issues raised.
G. Adoption of the Activity Report
13. At its 26th sitting on 27 April, 1988, the Commission considered the draft of
its first activity report on the deliberations of the First, Second and Third Sessions
held in 1987 and 1988 successively in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dakar, Senegal and
Libreville, Gabon. The report as amended during the discussion was unanimously
adopted.
II. General Observations of the Commission
14. At each of the three Sessions, the Commission discussed at length the
various tasks assigned to it by the Charter and the ways and means of executing
them in order to attain the objectives set.
15. It felt that the magnitude and complex nature of the tasks it had to carry out
demanded that it should stand on a solid foundation so as to make slow but sure
lasting progress.
A. Rules of Procedure
16. At its Second Ordinary Session held in Dakar, Senegal, the Commission
drew up, discussed and adopted, a Rules of Procedure which is attached to this
report as Annex V (see below at pp. 8-24).
17. As a first step to the implementation of the Charter, that 120 Rules legal
instrument was intended to make the Commission a rational and functional
effective organization. It also defined its Rules of Procedure.
18. Two issues especially engaged the attention of the Commission during the
preparation of the Rules of Procedure: the choice of Headquarters and the
Financial Rules and Regulations of the Commission.
a) Choice of Headquarters
19. The Commission noted that the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
Rights had not formally dealt with its Headquarters. There was no provision in the
OAU Charter which dealt with this issue either.
20. At its Third Session held in Libreville, Gabon, it made a recommendation
requesting the Twenty-fourth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State
and Government to take a decision on the issue. The recommendation appears in
Annex VI of this report (see below at p. 24).
b) Financial Rules and Regulations Governing Functioning of the Commission
21. The Commission analysed Articles 41 and 44 of the Charter dealing with the
material and human resources, on the one hand, and the emoluments and
allowances of Members of the Commission, on the other.
22. Pursuant to Rule 24 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission
recommended to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to take a
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1st Activity Report
decision on the proposals it had made. The text of the recommendation IS
contained in Annex VII of this report (see below at p. 25).
B. Promotional Activities
23. The Commission attached particular importance to this essential mission
entrusted to it by the Charter. Right from its Second Session held in Dakar,
Senegal, it drew up a comprehensive Programme of Action aimed at promoting
human and peoples' rights in Africa.
24. Specific proposals were included in the Commissions's 1989-1990 draft
budget on the financing of a selected part of the Programme of Action, to be
implemented in successive stages.
25. The Programme of Action is attached as Annex VIII of this report (see
below at p. 27).
C. Protection Activities
26. The Commission noted with interest this aspect of its mandate. As from its
First Session held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it took cognizance of
communications which had already been received at the OAU General
Secretariat well before the installation of the Commission. During its Third
Session, the Commission evolved a methodology for receiving and considering
communications. The documents are analysed in Part IV of this report (see below
atp.4f.).
D. Other Activities
27. The Commission had not yet received any tasks or actions for execution
from a State party, an institution of the OAU or the Assembly of Heads of State
and Government.
28. It received offers of collaboration from three non-governmental
organizations during its Third Session held in Libreville. Pursuant to its Rules of
Procedure, it accepted to cooperate with those organizations.
III. Consideration of Periodic Reports submitted by Member States pursuant to
Article 62 of the Charter
29. The Commission discussed this important issue which was of double
significance, namely, promotion and protection. It analyzed the relevant
provisions of the Charter.
30. After having concluded that the Charter did not specifically entrust it with
the task of considering the periodic reports on the human and peoples' rights of
State parties, the Commission recommended to the Assembly of Heads of State
and Government to specifically assign it with the mandate to enable it to consider
and indicate the general orientation as regards the form and substance of the said
reports.
31. The recommendation which also suggested that the OAU SecretaryGeneral be empowered by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to
receive and forward the said documents to the Commission appears in Annex IX
of the present report (see below at p. 27).
IV. Consideration of Communications
32. Since its Second Session, the Commission had considered the various
aspects of that mission. It prepared a document especially meant to guide the
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1st Activity Report
Secretariat in recetvmg communications from States parties and other
communications and following up the procedure stages.
33. The Commission also drew up and adopted model reports aimed at
facilitating the consideration of the communications and model decisions to
enable the quick processing of communications already received.
34. After having briefly studied them, the Commission decided to allot them to
the various members who would submit reports at the Fourth Session.
V. Next Sessions
35. Responding favourably to the invitations of fhe Governments of the Arab
Republic of Egypt and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, the Commission decided to
hold its Fourth Session in Cairo, Egypt, in October, I'JXI\ and its Fifth Session in
Benghazi, Libya. The respective Governments of these two countries would
discuss the modalities for the organization of the two meetings with the OAU
Secretary-General.
ANNEX I
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
List of Countries which have Signed, Ratified or Adhered to the Charter
No.
Country
Date of
Signature
Date of
Ratification I
Adhesion
Date
Deposited
1.
2.
3.
4.
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burundi
BurkinaFaso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Ivory Coast
Kenya
10/04/86
01/03/87
20/03/87
20/01186
17/07/86
22/IJN;o
06/07/84
21/0Y/~4
02/0h ~7
2h!ll-1'ol>
06/08/87
27/07/86
ll/l!/86
18/07/86
17/01/83
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
---
------
05/03/84
23/07/87
31/03/86
29/05/86
2)102'%
27/ll/81
0'1' Jli '"
OJ o,, \IJ
(N!I2.b2
16/11181
18/08/86
20/03/84
07/04/86
01'().:! 1:\1
26/02/82
11/02/R1
20/02/86
08/06/83
26/06/86
13/03/83
09/12!ol
16/02/82
04/12/85
13/05/82
06/03/86
lS lJ;>/~O
1
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lsi Activity Report
24.
25.
26.
27.
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mozambique
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Saharawi Arab Dem. Rep.
Sao Tome &Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan
Swaziland
Tan1am"
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48
-1'1
Ill
07/03/84
31101183
30/05/85
04/08/82
19/07/86
2(,1011\7
13/11/81
25/02/82
21112/81
14/06/86
2210!182
26/06/86
09/07/86
31/08/82
ll/11/81
10/04/86
15107/86
22/06/83
l'i/07/83
21107/86
22/07/83
22/07/83
02/05f8h
21/05/XIl
23/09/81
21:1)5 'Sn
I3/08/82
28'ilnh
25!1 IIIS2
27/08/81
26/02/82
03/09/82
21/09/83
31107/85
18/02/86
27/01/84
20103186
11103/86
To~;o
31/05/82
26/02/82
Tum"J
Uganda
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe
18/08/86
23/07/87
17!01/83
2r ,,oc 'xr,
18/02/84
05/11/82
16/01183
JOI0)/86
:'il/il7/R7
1'>,11!/04
111'05/86
09/03/84
22/11182
22/04/83
:'7 !(J'f86
2S·ll7!87
ll:''il2'R4
I: ill·•~h
20'1 :1o:
ANNEX II
Members of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples' Rights
Country of Origin Duration of Term
No.
Name
1.
2.
Mali
Mr. AliouneBLONDINBEYE
Mr. Ali Mahmoud BUHEDMA
Libya
Dr. Ibrahim Ali Badawi EL SHEIKH Egypt
Congo
Mr. Alexis GABOU
Uganda
Mr. GraceS. IBINGIRA
Mr. Sourahata B. SEMEGA
Gambia
Mr. Habesh Robert KISANGA
Tanzania
Botswana
Mr. M.D. MOKAMA
Mr. C.L.C. MUBANGA-CHIPOY A Zambia
Senegal
Mr. Youssoupha NDIA YE
Mr. Isaac NGUEMA
Gabon
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
2 years
6 years
2 years
6 years
4years
2 years
4 years
6years
4years
6years
2 years
/st ActiVity Report
ANNEX III
Agendas of the three Sessions
I. Agenda of the Addis Ababa Meeting (2 November 1987)
A. Opening of the Meeting
B. Election of a Provisional Bureau of the Meeting
C. Adoption of Agenda
D. Election of the Bureau of the Commission
E. Organization of the future work of the Commission
F. Date and Venue of the Next Session of the Commission
G. Any Other Business
H. Adoption of the Report of the First Session of the Commission
II. Agenda of the Dakar Meeting (8-13 February 1988)
A. Opening of the Meeting
B. Organization 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. Future Programme of Activities of the Commission
G. Adoption of the Final Communique
H. Date and Venue of the Next Session
I. Any Other Business
J. Closing Session
Ill. Agenda of the Libreville Meeting (18-28 Aprill988)
A. Opening Ceremony
B. Organization of Work
C. Adoption of the Report of the Second Ordinary Session
D. Information on the Inter-Session
E. Procedure for the Consideration of Complaints (methodology)
F. Consideration of guidelines for form and content of Periodic Reports
G. Consideration of the Financial Rules and Regulations
H. Consideration of complaints received
I. Headquarters of the Commission
J. Date and Venue of the Fourth Ordinary Session
K. Any Other Business
L. Adoption of the Report of the Third Session
M. Report to be submitted to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government
N. Final Communique
0. Closing Session
ANNEX IV
Solemn Declaration
I solemnly declare to discharge my duties impartially and faithfully.
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I st Activity Report
communication admissible, in the light of
the
explanations
and
statements
submitted by the State party under the
present Rule.
Rule 118:
Final Decision of the Commission
1. If the communication is admissible,
the Commission shall consider it in the
light of all the information that the
individual and the State party concerned
has submitted in writing; it shall make
known its observations on this issue. To
this end, the Commission may refer the
communication to a Working Group,
composed of 3 of its members at most,
which shall submit recommendations to
it.
2. The observations of the Commission
shall be communicated to the Assembly
through the Secretary-General.
3. The Assembly or its Chairman may
request the Commission to conduct an
indepth study on these cases and to
submit a factual report accompanied by
its findings and recommendations, in
accordance with the provisions of Article
58 sub-paragraph 2 of the Charter.
Final Chapter: Amendment and
Suspension of the Rules of
Procedure
Rule 119: Method of Amendment
Only the Commission may modify the
present Rilles of Procedure.
Rule 120: Method of Suspension
The Commission may suspend
temporarily, the application of any Rule
of the present Rules of Procedure, on
condition that such a suspension shall not
be incompatible with any applicable
decision of the Commission or the
Assembly or with any relevant provision
of the Charter and that the proposal shall
have been submitted 24 hours in
advance. This condition may be set aside
if no member oppose it. Such a
suspension may take place only with a
specific and precise object in view and
should be limited to the duration
necessary to achieve that aim.
Deliberated and adopted by the Commission at
its second session held in Dakar, Senegal, on 13
February 1988.
ANNEX VI
Recommendation on the Headquarters of the
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, meeting in its Third
Ordinary Session in Libreville, Gabon, from 18 to 28 April1988,
Recalling that the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights which
entered into force on 21 October 1986, established a Commission whose members
were elected on 29 July, 1987 by the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and,
Government and which held its First Session in Addis Ababa,
Noting that the Charter does not contain any formal provision indicating that
the Headquarters of the Commission is established at the Headquarters of the
OAU,
Noting indeed that Article 30 of the Charter specifies only that an African
Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is established within the OAU,
charged with promoting human and peoples' rights and ensuring their protection
in Africa,
Noting also that Article 64 of the Charter stipulates that the OAU SecretaryGPnPr"l will convene the first meeting of the Commission at the Headquarters of
I st Activity Report
25
the Organization and that subsequently the Commission will be convened
whenever necessary and at least once every year by its Chairman,
Bearing in mind the quasi-legislative nature of the Commission and its need for
a full-time Secretariat, it is not desirable to have the Headquarters of the
Commission where the political and administrative organs of the OAU are
located,
Convinced that the Headquarters of the Commission can only be hosted by a
State which has ratified the Charter and which offers to the Commission
substantial material and human resource facilities fbr its establishment, work and
researches,
1. RECOMMENDS to the OAU Assembly of Heads of Stale and Government
to establish the Headquarters of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples' Rights in a country other than the one hosting the political and
administrative organs of the OAU;
2. RECOMMENDS ALSO to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government
to choose, in order to establish the Headquarters of the Commission, a country
which has ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and
which offers to the Commission substantial material and human resource
facilities for its establishment, work and researches.
ANNEX VII
Recommendation on the Financial Rules and Regulations
Governing the Functioning of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples' Rights
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, meeting in its Third
Ordinary Session in Libreville, Gabon, from 18 to 28 April1988,
Considering that the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights adopted
in Nairobi on 28 June 1981, entered into force on 21 October 1986, and that
members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights set up to
apply it, were elected on 29 July 1987, and installed on 2 November 1987,
Reaffirming their duty to ensure the promotion and protection of human and
peoples' rights and freedoms, duly taking into account, the primordial importance
traditionally attached to these rights and freedoms in Africa,
Conscious of the fundamental role of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples' Rights to assist States Parties to the African Charter on Human and
Peoples' Rights in the promotion and protection of human and peoples' rights and
freedoms,
HAS AGREED THAT:
I. The Financial Rules and Regulations of the OAU dated 4 March 1979, apply
to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, without prejudice to
the following rules:
2. The Organization of African Unity shall bear the financial cost of the
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I st Activity Report
Commission, pursuant to the relevant provisions of the OAU Charter and of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Article 41 of which stipulates:
"'The Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity shall appoint the
Secretary of the Commission. He shall provide the staff and services necessary for
the effective discharge of the duties of the Commission. The Organization of
African Unity shall bear the cost of the staff and services"
and Article 44 of which stipulates:
"Provision shall be made for the emoluments and allowances of the members of
the Commission in the Regular Budget of the .Organization of African Unity".
3. The Commission's budget shall form part of the Regular Budget of the
Organization of African Unity, but this budget shall be distinct and managed
separately.
The Secretary-General of the OAU shall be the Accounting Officer and, in this
capacity, shall be responsible for its management. He may however delegate all or
part of his powers to the Chairman of the Commission for application of the
financial rules and regulations of the OAU and the relevant provisions of the
Rules of Procedure of the Commission.
The Accountant of the OAU shall be responsible for keeping the accounts. He
shall be responsible for receiving financial resources and making relevant
payments. He may, following the exigencies of the service, delegate all or part of
his powers to a staff member of the Secretariat of the Commission, in consultation
with the Commission.
4. The Secretary-General of the OAU shall prepare and submit for
consideration to the Advisory Committee on Administrative, Budgetary and
Financial Matters, the OAU Programme of Action which shall include the
programme of action of the Commission and the budgetary appropriations
including those of the Commission.
5. The following are expenditure codes necessary for the effective execution of
the tasks assigned to the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Article 27 of
the Financial Rules and Regulations of the OAU, to cover:
- the emoluments and allowances for the members of the Commission, as
provided fori n Article 44 of the Charter;
- staff costs of the Secretariat of the Commission;
- cost of facilities and activities of the Commission.
6. As regards additional resources to the financial contribution of the OAU to
the Commission, the latter may accept in consultation with the OAU SecretaryGeneral, grants, bequests and other donations compatible with the objectives of
the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights.
7. If the budgetary appropriations of the Commission have not been approved
or are inadequate or if new expenses are to be incurred as a result of financial
implications of approved decisions after the Regular Budget of the OAU had
been adopted, the Secretary-General of the OAU shall, in consultation with the
Commission, submit to the Advisory Committee or sub-Advisory Committee, a
rectified additional programme and budget for consideration. He shall
subsequently submit the same to the Council of Ministers for approval. This
would enable the Commission to carry out its task effectively.
The Secretary-General may also identify new financial sources by drawing from
the overall balances available under some codes after the normal closing of the
financial year.
8. If the budgetary estimates of the Commission are not adopted before 1 June,
one-twelfth of the previous budget shall be released in accordance with Article 34
of the OAU Financial Rules and Regulations.
1st Acuvay Report
27
ANNEX VIII
Programme of Action ofthe African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
A. Research and Information Activities
1. Establishment of African Library and a Documentation Centre on Human
Rights;
2. Printing and dissemination of the African Cl\.arter on Human and Peoples'
Rights includlllg Its Rules of Procedures;
3. Publication of dll African Review on Human and Peoples' Rights;
4. Periodical radio broadcasts and television programmes on Human Rights in
Africa;
5. Integration of Teaching of Human Rights in the Syllabi of secondary
education;
6. Proclamation of a Human Rights Day;
7. Participation in the bicentenary activities of the Declaration on the Rights of
Man and of the Citizen, 1789;
8. Institution of a prize for and a competition on Human Rights;
9. Recommendation on the Establishment of National Human Rights
Committees;
10. Recommendation on the Establishment of Human Rights' Institutes;
11. Symposia or Seminars on Apartheid.
B. Quasi-l.<'t;lllative Activities
1. Charter 1 dtification campaign within countries which have not yet ratified it;
2. Ratification of Human Rights Treaties prepared by international
organizations (United Nations, ILO, etc ... );
3. Introduction of the provisions of the Charter in the constitutions of States.
C. Co-operation Activities
1. Co-operation with international inter-state or non-governmental
organizations: European Commission, American Commission, United Nations
Commission, International Commission of Jurists, International Academy of
Human Rights, Amnesty International;
2. Co-operation with African organizations: Inter-African Union of Lawyers,
Association of African Jurists, Association of African International Law;
3. Periodic Reports of States.
ANNEX IX
Recommendation on Periodic Reports
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, meeting in its Third
Ordinary Session in Libreville, Gabon, from 18 to 28 April, 1988,
Having carefully examined the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
and, particularly, its Article 62 which stipulates:
"Each State Party shall undertake to submit every two years, from the date the present
Charter comes into force, a report on the legislative or other measures taken with a
view to giving effect to the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the
present Charter",
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Jsr Acuvily Repor1
Considering that this provision of the Charter contains only the obligation
which is that of a State Party to submit the report,
Considering that the Charter does not stipulate to which authority or body the
periodic report should be directed,
Considering that the Charter has not specifically entrusted to the Commission
the responsibility to consider the periodic reports on Human Rights,
Considering further that it is difficult to see which other organ of the OAU could
accomplish this work,
Considering that the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is the
only appropriate organ of the OAU capable not only of studying the said periodic
reports, but also of making pertinent observations to States Parties, after
providing them with general guidelines on the form and contents of the reports
which they should submit, pursuant to Article 62 referred to above:
RECOMMENDS that the Assembly of Heads of State and Government:
1. Mandate the General Secretariat of the OAU to receive the said reports and
communicate them to the Commission without delay;
2. Specifically entrust it with the task of examining the periodic reports submitted
by the States Parties pursuant to Article 62 and other relevant provisions of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights;
3. Authorize it to give the States Parties general guidelines on the form and the
contents of the said periodic reports.
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1st Activity Reporr
REGISTER NO.1: PAGE 2
COMMUNICATION FROM A STATE PARTY AGAINST
ANOTHER STATE PARTY:
PROCEDURE FOR DIRECT SEISIN
1
Applicant State
2
Respondent State
3
Date of Communication
4
Subject of the Communication:
Provisions Violated
5
Date of Reception of the Communication by
State Concerned
6
Date of Seisin of OAU Secretary General
7
Date of Seisin of the Chairman
of the Commission
8
Exhaustion of local remedies
9
Information Requested
10
Attempt at Conciliation
11
Report of the Commission
(Article 52)
12
Recommendations made to the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government
13
Date Report sent to the State Concerned
14
Date Report sent to the Assembly of Heads
of State and Government
lsr Acuviry Reporr
REGISTER NO.2: PAGE 1
PROCEDURE FOR INVESTIGATION
ON THE COMMUNICATION- ART. 55
1
Serial Number
2
Date of Communication
3
Date Received
4
Notification of State Concerned
5
Rapporteur Appointed
6
Date of Appointment
7
Work to be Carried out
8
Date Report deposited
9
Decision of the Commission
10
Decision of the Assembly of Heads of State
and Government
REGISTER NO.2: PAGE 2
COMMUNICATION -COMPLAINT: ART. 55
INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE AUTHOR
OF THE COMMUNICATION
1
Family name and first names of the author
2
Address
3
Age
4
Profession
5
State concerned (Party or not)
6
Subject of the Communication
7
Date of Communication
(Date on Communication)
8
Provisions violated
9
Means of fact (summary of facts)
10
Measures taken by the author
to exhaust local remedies
11
Examination before another international
body of enquiry or settlement
31