1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), held its 10th Extraordinary Session from 12 to 16 December 2011 in Banjul, The Republic of Gambia. 2. The following Members attended and participated in the 10th Extraordinary Session:
• Honourable Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki, Chairperson;
• Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou (Acting Vice-Chairperson);
• Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga;
• Honourable Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor;
• Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel;
• Honourable Commissioner Med S.K. Kaggwa; and
• Honourable Commissioner Pacifique Manirakiza;
3. The following Commissioners were absent with apologies:
• Honourable Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie;
• Honourable Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen;
• Honourable Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula; and
• Honourable Commissioner Mohamed Béchir Khalfallah.
4. Meeting of the Session were chaired by Honourable Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki, Chairperson of the African Commission.
5. In her welcoming statement, the Chairperson, Honourable Catherine Dupe Atoki, expressed her gratitude to all the Honourable Commissioners who were able to come to Banjul specifically to work on communications, despite their
otherwise busy schedule.
6. After the opening ceremony by the Chairperson, the Commissioners adopted the Agenda of the Session.
7. The Commission examined six (6) Communications:
a. Four (4) Communications on Admissibility, one (1) of which was
declared admissible and three (3) others inadmissible and
b. Two (2) Communications on the Merits.
8. The Commission, concerned about the situation of violence prevailing in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the Presidential Elections of November
2011, issued a press release on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
9. The Commission also discussed the humanitarian and human rights situation in the Central African Republic on the basis of a letter transmitted to the
Secretariat of the Commission by the Director of the Peace and Security Department of the African Union. At the end of the deliberations, the
Commission decided to address a Note Verbale to the Central African authorities inviting them to submit their views on the allegations contained in the said
correspondence.
10. The Commission examined its 2012 Budget as discussed and approved by the PRC Sub-Committee of the African Union during the meeting held in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, from 27 November to 01 December 2011.
11. The Commission discussed about the appointment of a Public Relations Officer. After having discussed the issue, it was decided that one of the members of the Secretariat should assume the role of focal point between the Commission and the Media.
12. The Commission expresses its sincere thanks and profound gratitude to the Government and People of the Republic of The Gambia for the hospitality accorded to the Members of the Commission which contributed enormously to the success of the meetings of its 10th Extraordinary Session.
13. The closing Ceremony of the 10th Extraordinary Session took place on 16 December 2011 in Banjul, The Gambia.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 16 December 2011
