24 August 2018, Banjul, The Gambia - The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Secretariat) wishes to inform the general public that at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), will undertake a Mission to the Republic of South Africa from 03 to 08 September 2018.
This Mission, which is part of the Commission’s promotion mandate, is being undertaken in accordance with Article 45(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The objective of the Mission is to, amongst other things: engage with relevant stakeholders, exchange views on ways and means of enhancing the enjoyment of human rights in the country, and seek information on other human rights issues of particular concern to the Commission.
The Mission will be undertaken by the following Commissioners:
- Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Commissioner Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights;
- Honourable Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute, Vice-Chairperson of the African Commission and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa; and
- Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
During the Mission, the delegation of the Commission will meet with officials from the relevant Government ministries, civil society organizations, a cross-section of human rights actors in the country, as well as other individuals and institutions capable of enlightening the Commission on the general human rights situation in South Africa, and more specifically on the following: the continued high levels of inequality and unemployment; access to land; transformation of the education system; access to health care and HIV/AIDS; sexual, gender based and domestic violence; the challenges for human and peoples’ rights in the extractive industries; status and treatment of African migrants in South Africa; evictions, landlessness, farm killings; freedom of expression and access to information; the situation of human rights defenders and the challenges that hamper the effective enjoyment of human rights.
The Commission invites Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with Observer Status with the Commission as well as other NGOs working in the particular fields identified above to a consultation on Saturday, 08 September 2018 in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. For more information about the NGO consultation, kindly contact Sufiya Bray, CSVR at SBray@csvr.org.za.
At the end of the Mission, the preliminary findings will be discussed with the relevant authorities in the Government of the Republic of South Africa and a Press Conference will also be held. Thereafter, a Report of the Mission will be tabled before the next Ordinary Session of the Commission, for consideration and adoption.
For further information, please contact:
The Secretariat of the Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region.
P.O Box 673 Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 220 4410505/6
E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org
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