The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (The Commission) convened at its 81th Ordinary Session from 17 October to 6 November 2024,
Recalling the Commission's mandate to promote and safeguard human and peoples' rights in Africa, as outlined in Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter);
Recognizing the obligations of Member States to the African Charter to ensure the right to development and to improve living standards for all people;
Also acknowledging the challenges that Member States to the African Charter face due to sanctions imposed by various entities, which significantly impact their socio-economic environment and create substantial barriers to the full realization of human rights;
Further Acknowledging the importance of the Anti-Sanction Day and movement declared by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a regional effort to advocate for the removal of sanctions that hinder socio-economic development and the fulfillment of human rights;
Recalling the decision of the General Assembly (Assembly/AU/Dec.219(XII)) that calls for the immediate lifting of the sanctions on Zimbabwe to ease the economic and humanitarian situation in the country;
Noting with concern that sanctions on Zimbabwe have caused severe economic downturns, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, including women, children, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities;
Recognizing the negative effects of sanctions on Zimbabwe’s public services, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure, which are essential for health, dignity, and well-being;
Concerned that continued sanctions impair Zimbabwe’s ability to fully participate in global trade and development, hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which prioritize the right to development and poverty elimination;
Reaffirming the principle that sanctions should not lead to violations of fundamental human rights and should be aligned with international human rights law, which discourages any measures that prevent States from fulfilling their obligations to protect and promote human rights;
THE COMMISSION:
1. Urges the International Community to lift all sanctions to enable the citizenry to enjoy their human rights, including the right to development, health, education, food, and a decent standard of living;
2. Urges the Government of Zimbabwe to continue implementing human rights reforms, where necessary, while working with regional and international bodies to mitigate the human rights impacts of sanctions;
3. Reaffirms its commitment to supporting the SADC and the people of Zimbabwe in pursuing social and economic rights, stability, and sustainable development within the framework of African solidarity
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 6 November 2024
