The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 20th Extra-Ordinary Session, held in Banjul, Islamic Republic of The Gambia, from 09 to 18 June 2016;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Reaffirming the fundamental importance of freedom of expression and access to information enshrined in Article 9 of the African Charter and other international human rights instruments;
Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.62 (XXXII) 02 on the adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, which elaborates on the scope of Article 9 of the African Charter, and Resolution ACHPR/Res.222 (LI) 2012 to modify the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression to include Access to Information and Request for a Commemorative Day on Freedom of Information;
Further bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.167 (XLVIII) 10 on Securing the Effective Realization of Access to Information in Africa, which authorized the Special Rapporteur to develop a Model Law on Access to Information;
Taking into account the developments in the areas of freedom of expression and access to information in Africa since the adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa by the Commission in 2002;
The Commission:
(i) Decides to revise the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa (the Declaration), through its Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa;
(ii) Urges States Parties, civil society and other stakeholders, to collaborate with the Special Rapporteur by contributing to the process of revising the Declaration;
(iii) Requests the Special Rapporteur to report the progress made at its next Ordinary Session.
Done in Banjul, Islamic Republic of The Gambia, on 18 June 2016
