The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 69th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 15 November to 05 December 2021;
Recallingits mandate of promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa, pursuant to Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Awarethat in the exercise of its mandate the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) has established various mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa;
Emphasizingthat the right to freedom of expression and access to information is a fundamental human right guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter;
Reaffirming the commitment of the African Commission to promote the right to freedom of expression and access to information, and monitor implementation of the Declarationof Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa by the States Parties;
Bearing in mindthe Model Law on Access to Information in Africa which was adopted by the African Commission to encourage the adoption of national legislationon access to informationin line with the regional and international standards;
Mindful ofthe Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa, adopted by the African Commission in light of the importance of the right of access to information to the creation of a conducive environment for free, fair and transparent elections, and elaborate on the information which should be proactively disclosed by all relevant actors during elections;
RecallingResolutionACHPR/Res.71(XXXVI)04which established the special mechanism on Freedom of Expression in Africa, and Resolution ACHPR/Res.122 (XXXXII) 07 which expanded the mandate to include access to information in Africa;
RecallingResolution ACHPR/Res.84 (XXXXV)05 which appointed Advocate Pansy Tlakula, andResolution ACHPR/Res.377(LXI)2017which appointed Mr. Lawrence Mute;
Further recallingResolution ACHPR/Res. 453 (LXVI) 2020which appointed Justice Jamesina E. L. King as the Special Rapporteur;
Consideringthat the mandate of Justice King, as a Member of the Commission and Special Rapporteur, came to an end on 15 November 2021;
Notingwith appreciation the work done by Justice Kingas the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa;
Decides to appoint CommissionerOurveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonooas the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.
Done virtually, on 5 December 2021
