PUBLIC NOTICE: Upcoming Session 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

Convened in terms of Article 64 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, read together with Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the ACHPR, 2020

Banjul, 23 August 2024; The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the ACHPR) wishes to inform State Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Organs of the African Union, National Human Rights Institutions, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations and the general public, that the 81st Ordinary Session, of the ACHPR (Public & Private) is scheduled to take place from Thursday, 17 October to Wednesday, 6 November, 2024. 

WHAT:     The 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights
 
WHEN:     17 October – 6 November 2024
 
          Public Session (In-person): 17 – 27 October 2024

Opening Ceremony: Thursday, 17 October 2024, 09:00 – 11: 30 Hours (GMT)

Other Session Days:

Mondays to Thursdays:  09:00 – 17:30 Hours (GMT)

Fridays: 09:00 – 13:00 Hours 

Sundays: 14:30 – 17:30 Hours 

          Private Session: 28 October – 5 November 2024
           
Public Session: Closing Ceremony (In-person) 6 November 2024 
10:00 – 11:30 Hours (GMT)
 
WHERE:  Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Kololi, The Gambia 
    
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE:https://forms.office.com/r/CcUCqZ9p6U Deadline:  3 October 2024

REGISTER TO MAKE A STATEMENT:

ITEM 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa. Deadline:3 October 2024 
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/Zrh8W3pa0k 

ITEM 5: Activity Reports of Commissioners and Special Mechanisms (Interventions) Deadline: 5 October 2024 
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/wY2S0MSKfv 

STATE PARTIES’ RIGHT TO REPLY:
ITEM 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa. Deadline: 24 October 2024
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/5V2nWb7PVU 

Upload and e-mail Statement or Intervention to: achpr.session@africa-union.org and meribolee@africa-union.org

Please note that only participants who have registered to make Statements and whose Statements have been received by the ACHPR’s Secretariat will be given slots to make Statements.

REGISTER TO MAKE INTERVENTION ON PANELS & LAUNCHES:

ITEM 6: PANELS AND LAUNCHES. Deadline: 14 October 2024
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/PZhEzgD7mb  

PUBLIC SESSION DOCUMENTS: 81st Ordinary Session Public Documents

6 November 2024 – Closing Ceremony (Public Session)

17 October & 6 November 2024 – Media Conference (Following Opening &  Closing Ceremonies – (Public Sessions)
  

Please note that the Opening & Closing Ceremonies and Media Briefings will take place at the Session venue.

WHO:  The Commissioners and the Secretariat of the ACHPR, all States Parties, Organs of the African Union, National Human Rights Institutions, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other members of the general public are invited to attend.

This Ordinary Session will be in-person; participants who wish to attend are required to register online within the deadline given. The Commission will focus on the following Session activities: 

i.    Human Rights Situation in Africa;
ii.    Joint Commemoration of the Africa Human Rights Day & Colloquium on Economic Social and Cultural Rights in Africa;
iii. Consideration of State Party Reports;
iv.    Discussion on Relationship and Cooperation between the ACHPR with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs);
v.    Consideration of Applications for Observer Status from NGOs;
vi.    Activity Reports of Commissioners;
vii. Panel Discussions;
viii. Consideration of Communications;
ix.    Consideration of Concluding Observations;
x.    Consideration of Reports and other documents.

The Ordinary Session will be live streamed on: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgwJmiMTr59J0jYZJJtfzuw

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

The ACHPR is composed of eleven Commissioners, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The ACHPR meets 4 (four) times a year in Ordinary Sessions, and in Extra-Ordinary Sessions, when necessary.

1.    For more comments: 
Mrs. Abiola Idowu-Ojo, Executive Secretary to the Commission
Tel.: +220 747 1077; E-mail: achpr.stcincoming@Africa-Union.Org

2.    For documentation and materials, please contact:
Mrs. Coumba Sonko, Tel. +220 226 3479: E-mail:  SonkoC@Africa-Union.Org
au-Banjul@Africa-Union.Org 
Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at https://achpr.au.int .

3.    For media interested in participating please contact: 
          
    Ms. Samantha Kambule E-mail: kambuleS@africa-union.org  

4.    Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at www.achpr.au.int