1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission), held its 9th Extra-ordinary Session in Banjul, the Republic of The Gambia, from 23 February to 3 March 2011.
2. Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou, Chairperson of the African Commission, chaired the deliberations of the Session.
3. The following Members attended and participated in the 9th Extra-ordinary Session:
- Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou, Chairperson;
- Commissioner Mumba Malila, Vice-Chairperson;
- Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor;
- Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki;
- Commissioner Musa Ngary Bitaye;
- Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie;
- Commissioner Bechir Khalfallah; and
- Commissioner Soyata Maiga;
4. The following Commissioners were absent with apologies
- Commissioner Mohamed Fayek;
- Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen; and
- Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula.
5. The Chairperson noted that the African Commission was meeting to clear some pending matters, particularly the urgent human rights situation in North Africa and pending Communications which were not considered during the 48th Ordinary Session.
6. The African Commission, concerned by the human rights situation in North Africa issued the following Press Statements:
- Press Statement on the Human Rights Situation of Cote d’Ivoire;
- Press Statement on the Human Rights Situation in North Africa.
7. The African Commission also adopted the following Resolutions:
- Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Algeria;
- Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Benin;
- Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Arab Republic of Egypt;
- Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire;
- Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Great Socialist Peoples’ Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;
- Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Tunisia; and
- Resolution on Electoral Processes and Participatory Governance in Africa.
8. The African Commission discussed modalities for the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the African Charter and decided that partners and stake holders, such as National Human Rights Institutions and NGOs should be part of the preparation for the celebrations scheduled to take place in October 2011, in Nairobi Kenya.
9. The African Commission also had occasion to exchange views with a number of experts from “Citizenship in Africa Rights Initiative”, an NGO with Observer Status with the African Commission, and decided to be more engaged with the matter of citizenship in Africa, and explore it further.
10. The African Commission considered 7 Communications: it was Seized with 1; considered 4 on Admissibility; 1 in the Merits and 1 for Review.
11. The African Commission decided to hold its 49th Ordinary Session from 28th April to 12th May 2011 in Banjul, The Gambia.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 3 March 2011
