At its 66th Ordinary Session held virtually from 13 July to 7 August 2020, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) adopted Resolution ACHPR/Res. 446 (LXVI) 2020 on conducting a Study on the right to health for all and its financing in Africa.
The Resolution was premised on the Commission’s concern on the various challenges to the right to health which arose in the context of the novel corona virus (COVID-19), especially the overburdening of fragile health care systems across the continent, challenges to the rights of health workers, and the diversion of resources and limited capacity away from other critical health services, including sexual and reproductive health care and services for persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
The Resolution also affirmed the Commission’s conviction that access to health care for all as a fundamental right and public good that should be guaranteed through public investment; It called upon States Parties to make human rights, and socio-economic rights specifically, a central pillar of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and in particular to ensure that the right to health is respected, protected and upheld, through guaranteeing that all persons and vulnerable people in particular are provided with the necessary socio-economic circumstances to limit their exposure to disease.
Further, the Resolution tasked the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in collaboration with UNAIDS, to prepare a draft study on ‘The Right to health for all and its financing in Africa’ and to present it to the Commission for its consideration and adoption.
The Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has a mandate, among others, to undertake, under the supervision of the Commission, Studies and Research on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC Rights), collect information and monitor the situation of ECOSOC Rights within the States Parties to the African Charter; collaborate with other partners including international Regional Mechanisms, among others, and advise the Commission on urgent measures to be taken to address issues related to ECOSOC Rights that require immediate attention.
Pursuant to Resolution ACHPR/Res. 446 (LXVI) 2020, the Working Group and UNAIDS have held four (4) Joint Meetings in relation to the Study. A draft Study on the Right to Health and its Financing in Africa, has emanated from those consultations and other engagements held by the UNAIDS with relevant stakeholders.
As part of the consultative process, the Working Group hereby invites all stakeholders to forward their inputs and comments on the Draft which can be downloaded via the web link below:
The deadline for receiving comments is 10 April 2023.
Comments should be sent by e-mail to au-banjul@africa-union.org; MangaA@africa-union.org; MeriboleE@africa-union.org , or by courier to the following address:
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, Western Region
P.O. Box 673 Banjul
The Gambia
