Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Working Group on Economic Social and Cultural Rights in Africa - ACHPR/Res.193(L)2011

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) meeting at its 50th Ordinary Session held from 24^th October to 5^th  November 2011, in Banjul, the Gambia:

Recalling its mandate to promote human and peoples’ rights and ensure their protection in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.73 (XXXVI)04 to establish a Working Group on Economic and Social Rights taken at its 36th Ordinary Session, held from 23 November - 7 December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal, and which also defined its mandate;

Recalling further Resolution ACHPR/Res.124 (XXXXII) 07 adopted at its 42nd Ordinary Session held from 14 – 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo to renew the mandate of the Working Group;

Bearing in mind that Commissioner Bechir Khalfallah M. led the Working Group from 2009 to 2011 as Chairperson;

Noting with appreciation the work and accomplishment of members of the Working Group through the finalization, and adoption of the Principles and Guidelines on the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in the African Charter (Nairobi Principles) and the State Party Reporting Guidelines for economic, social and cultural rights (Tunis Guidelines) which is the first part of the Working Group’s mandate;

Considering the launching at the Commission’s 50^th Ordinary Session of the Principles and Guidelines on the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in the African Charter and the State Party Reporting Guidelines on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa;

DECIDES to renew the mandate of the Working Group to:

i.  Continue the remaining tasks assigned to it in Resolution 78. ACHPR/Res.73(XXXVI)04 of 7^th December 2004 consisting in undertaking, under the supervision of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, studies and research on specific economic, social and cultural rights

ii. Perform any other tasks as arising from the consideration by the Working Group of the Principles(Nairobi) and state reporting guidelines(Tunis) on ESCR which includes but not limited to the Right to sustainable Development in Africa;

DECIDES to reappoint Commissioner Mohammed Bechir Khalfallah as Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa for a period of two years, effective 5 November 2011, and to appoint Commissioners Soyata Maiga and Maya Sahli -Fadel as a members of the Group, for the same period;

FURTHER DECIDES TO APPOINT the following members for the same period of time:

• A Representative of the UNOHCHR
• A Representative of the UNECA –GPAD
• A Representative of the INTERIGHTS  
• A Representative of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa  
• A Representative of the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria  

 Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 5^th November 2011