In line with its mandate to guarantee the rights enshrined within the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter), and in the context of the right to development and to a satisfactory environment prescribed under Articles 22 & 24, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) through its Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights in Africa (WGEI), adopted at its 46th Ordinary Session in 2009, ACHPR/Resolution 153(XLVI)09 authorising a Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Human Rights in Africa.
In the same vein, the African Commission adopted ACHPR/Resolution 271 (LV) 2014 on Climate Change in Africa at its 55th Ordinary Session in 2014, followed by ACHPR/Resolution.342 (LVIII)2016 on Climate Change and human rights in Africa at its 58th Ordinary Session in 2016, mandating the WGEI and the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (WG-ECOSOC) respectively, to lead the execution of the Study on climate change and human rights.
Resolution 153(XLVI)09 was premised on the need to address the expounding effects of climate change on the African continent which is highly exacerbated by indiscriminate human extraction activities resulting in extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, increased and intensified natural disasters, water shortages, biodiversity loss and heightened spread of disease among others, which threaten the life, integrity and livelihoods of the African people. The Resolution was also premised on the need to provide a foundation for strengthening national and regional standards for the protection of the environment, management of natural resources and human rights in a bid to develop an effective human rights-based approach to addressing the issue of climate change.
The WGEI and WG-ECOSOC have the mandate, among others, to undertake, under the supervision of the Commission, Studies and Research on the rights to development, natural resources, and a healthy environment, as well as Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC Rights) respectively. In this context they are mandated to collect information and monitor the situation of these Rights within States Parties to the African Charter; to collaborate with partners including international Regional Mechanisms, among others, and advise the Commission on urgent measures to be taken to address issues related to these Rights as the need arises.
Pursuant to the foregoing, the said ‘Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa’ was conducted by the African Commission through the support of its technical partner GIZ, within the framework of its Programme – “Strengthening Good Governance and Human Rights in Africa - AGA”. Through these engagements, a draft Study Report was prepared, examining the adverse consequences of the observed and projected climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, and further exploring the obligations of States, and clarifying the role of the African Commission in this regard as a key player within the African human rights system.
As part of this consultative process, and as a follow-up to the preliminary stakeholders’ Consultation done within the context of the 77th Ordinary Session of the African Commission held in Arusha Tanzania from 20 October to 9 November 2023, the WGEI and WG-ECOSOC hereby invite all stakeholders to forward their inputs and comments on the Draft Study which can be downloaded via the web link below:…
Zero Draft ‘Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa’
The deadline for receiving comments is 30 November 2023.
Comments should be sent by e-mail to au-banjul@africa-union.org; azanur@africa-union.org; MayotA@africa-union.org; or by courier to the following address:
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, Western Region
P.O. Box 673 Banjul
The Gambia
