The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission), meeting at its 4th Extra-ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia, from 17th to 23rd February 2008:
Pursuant to its mandate under Articles 30 and 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa;
Taking into account Article 46 of the African Charter which allows the Commission to use any appropriate method of investigation in the execution of its mandate;
Considering that the Republic of Somalia is a party to the African Charter, and has thereunder committed itself to the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights;
Considering further its Resolution ACHPR/Res.109 (XXXXI)07 on the Human Rights Situation in Somalia, adopted at the 41st Ordinary Session of the Commission, held in Accra, Ghana from 16th to 30th May 2007;
Deeply concerned that in spite of the deployment of the African Union Peacekeeping mission in Somalia, the human rights situation in the country continues to deteriorate;
The African Commission:
Condemns the violations of human rights that have been perpetrated during almost two decades of civil war in the country;
Calls on the parties to the conflict to observe their obligations under the African Charter, international humanitarian law and international human rights norms;
Urges the African Union (AU) and the international community to continue their support to the government and people of Somalia in the restoration of peace and democracy;
Decides to send a Fact-Finding Mission to the Republic of Somalia to investigate violations of human and peoples’ rights in the country;
Calls upon all stakeholders including the Transitional Federal Government to cooperate with and extend all assistance to the Fact-finding Mission, to enable it to effectively undertake its work.
Adopted, this 23 rd day of February 2008, in Banjul, The Gambia.
