The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 54th Ordinary Session held from 22 October to 5 November 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Bearing in mind the adoption and entry into force of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa;
Mindful of the adoption in 2009 and entry into force in 2012 of the African Union Convention on Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (the Kampala Convention);
Recalling its decision taken at its 35th Ordinary Session, held from 21 May to 4 June 2004 in Banjul, The Gambia, to establish a Special Mechanism on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;
Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.72(XXXVI) 04 adopted at its 36th Ordinary Session, held from 23 November to 7 December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal, determining the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res. 95(XXXIX) 06, which extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to cover migration issues;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.180 (XLIX) 2011 on the Appointment of Commissioner KAYITESI Zainabo Sylvie as the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Further recalling its Resolution ACHPR/RES.203 (l) 11 on the appointment of Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel as the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Concerned about the increase in the number of migrants seeking to leave the territory of their State Party and travel in dangerous and inhuman conditions;
Noting that the situation of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants is worsening by the day;
Considering the need to continue to advocate for the ratification of the Kampala Convention and its effective implementation by State Parties on the Continent;
Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.234 (LIII) 2013 on the right to nationality adopted at its 53rd Ordinary Session, held from 9 to 23 April 2013, assigning the task of conducting an in-depth study on the right to nationality to the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Reaffirming the importance of the Mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Noting with appreciation the work done by Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel as the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Considering that the mandate of Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel has come to an end;
Further considering the need for the Special Mechanism on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa to continue carrying out its mandate;
Decides to renew the mandate of Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel as the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa for a period of two years, effective from 5 November 2013.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 5 November 2013
