The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission) wishes to inform the public that its Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and Those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV (Committee on HIV/AIDS) will undertake a human rights promotion mission in the Republic of Namibia from 24 to 29 April 2017. The delegation will be composed of:
- Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maiga, Vice-Chairperson of the Commission and Chairperson of the Committee on HIV/AIDS (Head of Delegation);
- Honourable Commissioner Lucy Asuabgor, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa and Member of the Committee on HIV/AIDS;
- Prof. Ebenezer Durojaye, Expert Member of the Committee;
- Mrs Agnes Apea Atim, Expert Member of the Committee;
- Ms Annabel Raw, Partner of the Committee;
- Dr Aquilnado Mandlate, Partner of the Committee.
The delegation will be assisted during the mission by personnel of the Secretariat of the Commission.
The visit is part of the promotion mandate of the Commission under Article 45 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) and, in particular, in line with Resolution 163 establishing the Committee on HIV/AIDS. The objectives of the visit are as follows: promote the African Charter, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and other regional and international human rights instruments on the protection of the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at risk, vulnerable to and affected by HIV; identify progress made and the challenges faced in the exercise and full enjoyment of their rights; assess the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country; discuss with the authorities and the relevant stakeholders about the legislative, political and other measures taken regarding prevention, treatment, care and assistance to people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at risk, vulnerable to and affected by HIV in Namibia; inquire about ongoing programmes and strategies in the area of prevention against mother-to-child transmission; discuss with the authorities about the existing legal framework and programmes and measures implemented to combat discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV and related human rights violations; visit hospitals, screening centres and other related institutions; meet with representatives of the relevant civil society organisations; follow up on the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations made to the Namibian Government, in the area of HIV/AIDS, in its Concluding Observations adopted during its 20th Extraordinary Session held from 9 to 18 June 2016 in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia.
During the visit, the members of the delegation will also meet with major stakeholders working to promote and protect human rights and the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at risk, vulnerable to and affected by HIV, including representatives of ministries, Members of Parliament, national HIV/AIDS institutions and mechanisms, UN agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
At the end of the visit, the delegation will present its preliminary findings to the competent authorities and will organise a press conference. The delegation will prepare a detailed mission report which will be presented to the Commission at a later Session.
Banjul, 18 April 2017
For further information, please contact:
Secretariat of the Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region
P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: (+220) 441 05 05 /441 05 06
Fax: (+220) 441 05 04
Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org
