The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 73rd Ordinary Session, held in Banjul, The Gambia from 20 October to 9 November 2022 adopted ResolutionACHPR/Res.534 (LXXIII) 2022 on the Renewal of the Mandate, Appointment of the Chairperson, and Reconstitution of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected.[ https://t.co/QAehn6Eb0C. ] By this Resolution, the Commission, inter alia, reconstituted the Committee, renewed the mandate of three Expert Members from the Regions of East, Central and Southern Africa respectively, and appointed a new expert from West Africa.[ https://t.co/QAehn6Eb0C. ]
By the same Resolution, the Commission requested the re-advertisement of the call for the application of expert membership of the Committee, in order to fulfil the maximum membership threshold stipulated by Sections 6 and 7 of the Standard Operating Procedures on the Special Mechanisms of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (SOPs).
Accordingly, the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV (the Committee) wishes to extend its call for Applications for the Appointment of Expert Members from the Sub-Region of North Africa, in view of attaining, a regional balance in its membership.
The Committee was established by the Commission’s Resolutions ACHPR/Res.163 (XLVII) 2010, adopted at its 47th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 12th to 26th May 2010. It is required to be composed of five Experts representing the five sub-regions of the continent, taking into account the imperatives of linguistic and gender representation. Its mandate is as follows:
- Seek, request, receive, analyse and respond to reliable information from credible sources including individuals, community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, specialised agencies, inter-governmental organisations, and State Parties, on the situation and rights of PLHIV and those at risk;
- Undertake fact-finding missions, where necessary, to investigate, verify and make conclusions and recommendations regarding allegations of human rights violations;
- Engage State Parties and non-state actors on their responsibilities to respect the rights of people living with HIV and those proven to be vulnerable to these infections;
- Engage State Parties on their responsibilities to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of people living with HIV and those at risk;
- Recommend concrete and effective strategies to better protect the rights of people living with HIV and those at risk;
- Integrate a gender perspective and give special attention to persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including women, children, sex workers, migrants, men having sex with men, intravenous drugs users and prisoners; and
- Report regularly to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The Committee's mandate also includes promotion missions to States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter), organization of seminars and training sessions, publication of reports and research findings, sending urgent appeals to States Parties to the African Charter and active participation in regional and international meetings on the Rights of People Living with HIV and those at risk, vulnerable to or affected by HIV.
In accordance with: its above-stated mandate; the SOPs; Resolution ACHPR/Res. 460 (LXVI) 2020 on the Renewal of the Mandate, Appointment of the Chairperson, and Reconstitution of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV, under which the mandate of the previous members expired on 7 August 2022, as well as Resolution ACHPR/Res. 523 (LXXII) 2022 by which the Expert Membership was extended to 2 November 2022; and the above ACHPR/Res.534 (LXXIII) 2022 on the Renewal of the Mandate, Appointment of the Chairperson and Reconstitution of the Committee; the latter hereby re-invites interested persons from the sub-region of North Africa to submit their applications for consideration to serve as independent Expert Members.
Candidates must be nationals of a State Party to the African Charter from North Africa and are required to have proven experience and expertise in human rights, in particular in the area of the rights of PLHIV and those at risk. The term of office of the members of the Committee shall be for the remainder of the two (2) years from the date of appointment of the current members.
The ideal candidates are required to, inter alia:
- Have experience and expertise on issues related to on issues relating to the Rights of People Living with HIV;
- Have proven advocacy and written skills;
- Be available to work for at least 5 hours per week;
- Be able to travel in discharging the Committee’s mandate such as in country research and information missions, annual meetings, and representing the Committee in activities related to its mandate;
- Speak English, French, Arabic or Portuguese, the AU’s working languages (fluency in at least two being an asset).
Applications from suitable candidates should be sent to the Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. Due to financial constraints at the Commission, this is a pro bono position and there will be no financial compensation for selected members, although the costs related to authorized work would be covered in line with AU financial rules. Applications should be received no later than 27 March 2023, as the Commission intends to appoint the new members during its 75th Ordinary Session in 2023.
Applications should be accompanied by a cover letter and curriculum vitae, and should be sent by email to au-banjul@africa-union.org, and OkoloiseC@africa-union.org by post to the address below:
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout,
Kombo North District, Western Region
P. O. Box 673 Banjul
The Gambia
