The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 66th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 13 July to 7 August 2020:
Recalling its mandate of promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter);
Bearing in mind the adoption and coming into force of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa;
Further bearing in mind the adoption in 2009 and the coming into force in 2012 of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (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, which defines the mandate and appoints the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;
Recalling ACHPR Resolution ACHPR/Res.95 (XXXIX) 06, which extends the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to include migrants' issues;
Mindful of its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.160 (XLVI) 09, ACHPR/Res.187 (XLIX) 11 and ACHPR/Res.203 (L) 11 appointing the different Special Rapporteurs on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Recalling its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.246 (LIV) 13, ACHPR/Res.318 (LVII) 15, ACHPR/Res.379 (LXI) 2017 and ACHPR/Res.425 (LXV) 2019 on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Further bearing in mind its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.234 (LIII) 13 and ACHPR/Res.277 (LV) 14 respectively on the need to conduct a study on nationality and the elaboration of a Draft Protocol on Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa;
Considering the importance of pursuing efforts with States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights for the adoption of the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa;
Taking into account the deteriorating situation of refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons and migrants;
Considering the need to pursue advocacy for the ratification of the Kampala Convention and its effective implementation on the Continent by States Parties;
Reiterating the importance of the mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa particularly in the context of the COVIC-19 pandemic;
Noting with satisfaction the work of Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel in her capacity as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
Considering further the need for the Special Mechanism on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa to continue to discharge its mandate;
Noting the Final Communiqué of the 28th Extraordinary Session held from 29 June to 1 July 2020 wherein responsibilities were assigned to Commissioners;
Decides to renew the mandate of Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel as the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africafor a period of two years with effect from 1 July 2020.
Done virtually, 07 August 2020
