1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission) held its 23rd Extraordinary Session from 13 to 22 February 2018 in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia.
2. The Session was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga, Chairperson of the Commission, assisted by Honourable Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute, Vice-Chairperson of the Commission.
3. The Session was attended by the following members of the Commission:
i. Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga, Chairperson;
ii. Honourable Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute, Vice-Chairperson;
iii. Honourable Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie;
iv. Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel;
v. Honourable Commissioner Jamesina Essie L. King; vi. Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso; vii. Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem;
viii. Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu;
ix. Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela.
4. Honourable Commissioners Yeung Kam John Sik Yuen and Lucy Asuagbor were absent with apologies.
5. Following the adoption of the Session agenda, the Chairperson of the Commission, Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maiga, presented the report on the meetings of the Policy Organs held during the African Union Summit from 22 to 29 January 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
6. The Commission discussed the preparations for its 62nd Ordinary Session to be held from 25 April to 9 May 2018 in Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
7. The Commission also discussed the organization of a retreat between the
Commission and the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC).
8. It also considered proposals of secondments from Member States, and requested the
Secretariat to develop an internal policy document on secondments.
9. The Commission further considered draft amendments to its Rules of Procedure.
10. The Commission considered and adopted the following documents:
i. Report on Audit of Communications;
ii. Concept Note on the Organization of a Retreat between the Commission and the PRC;
iii. Report of the First Regional Seminar on the Implementation of Decisions of
the Commission held in Dakar, Senegal, and the Minutes of the Evaluation
Meeting;
iv. Report of the Advisory Committee on Budget and Staff Matters;
v. Report of the Secretariat on Follow-up Actions of the 61st Ordinary Session of the Commission;
vi. 2018 Annual Work Plan; and
vii. Guidelines on the Format of Promotion and Protection Missions of the
Commission.
11. The Commission also considered and deferred the adoption of the following documents:
i. Paper on Financial Compensation of Victims for Damages Suffered as Part of the
Communications Procedure;
ii. Paper on the Internship Policy at the Secretariat of the Commission; and iii. Guidelines on the Adoption of Resolutions.
12. The Commission considered and adopted concluding observations on the periodic reports of the following States parties:
i. Republic of Niger;
ii. Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; and
iii. Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
13. The Commission considered and adopted the report of the promotion mission undertaken in the Republic of The Gambia.
14. The Commission held discussions with the African Union Commission (AUC) team on the study on Policy Coherence between the AUC and AU Organs and decided to send its written observations in April 2018.
15. During the Session, the Commission considered forty-six (46) Communications, including:
i. Twenty-six (26) Communications on Seizure: the Commission was seized of eighteen (18) Communications, including granting two (2) requests for Provisional Measures, and dismissed eight (8) Communications;
ii. Three (3) Communications on Admissibility: the Commission declared two
(2) Communications inadmissible and it deferred its decision on one (1);
iii. Thirteen (13) Communications for Strike-out: the Commission struck-out all;
iv. The Commission reviewed its decision on the referral of two (2)
Communications to the Court;
v. The Commission also provided guidance on two (2) Communications.
16. The Commission adopted the following resolutions:
i. Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Democratic Republic of
Congo;
ii. Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Cameroon; and iii. Resolution on the Continued Violations of the Rights of the Sengwer
Community of Kenya.
17. The Commission expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government and people of the Republic of The Gambia for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to its members during the 23rd Extraordinary Session.
Done in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, on 22 February 2018
