The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) has learnt with deep sadness the tragic news of the untimely passing of Honorable Commissioner Ndiamé Gaye.
The African Commission joins his family, friends and colleagues in mourning not only the loss of our dear colleague but also the loss of a very dedicated and passionate advocate for human and peoples’ rights.
Hon Commissioner Gaye served as the Chairperson of the African Commission’s Working Group on Death Penalty, Extra-Judicial Execution, Summary or Arbitrary killings and Enforced Disappearances. Commissioner Gaye also served as member of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa and the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. He was also Country Rapporteur of the African Commission on the promotion of human rights in the Central African Republic, Guinea, Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
In this capacity, he addressed a number of human rights issues through press statements, resolutions and urgent letters of appeal on the basis of his special mechanism and country rapporteur capacities or jointly with other members of the Commission.
As a jurist with a sharp legal mind, Hon Commissioner Gaye during the time at the Commission brought enormous richness to the work of the African Commission. His passing is a major loss for our Commission and for the human rights community.
The African Commission wishes to extend our deepest condolences to Hon Commissioner Gaye’s family, friends and colleagues.
It has been an honor for us at the African Commission to have Commissioner Gaye as our colleague and to work with him.
Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso,
Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
