PHYSICAL SESSION
2ND TO 6TH DECEMBER 2024
1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) held its 37th Extra-Ordinary Session (the EOS) in Dakar, Senegal, from 2nd to 6th December 2024.
2. The EOS was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the Commission, assisted by Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Vice-Chairperson.
3. The following Members of the Commission participated in the EOS:
i. Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson;
ii. Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Vice Chairperson;
iii. Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem;
iv. Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela;
v. Honourable Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga;
vi. Honourable Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo ;
vii. Honourable Commissioner Idrissa Sow;
viii. Honourable Commissioner Litha Musyimi Ogana; and
ix. Honourable Commissioner Selma Sassi-Safer.
4. Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso and Honourable Commissioner Geereesha Topsy-Soono were absent with apologies.
5. The EOS dealt with technical, organisational, and policy matters.
6. In relation to technical matters, the Commission considered and adopted:
a. Two (2) Communications on Admissibility;
b. One (1) Communication on review of Non-Seizure; and
c. One (1) Communication on Seizure requiring Provisional Measures
7. The Commission also deliberated on:
a. The proposed Fact-finding Mission to the Sudan;
b. The current status of the African Union Institutional Reforms and the involvement of the Commission in this transformative process;
c. Enhancing complementarity between the Commission and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as the proposed Joint Retreat of the two Institutions;
d. The recently introduced AU Staff Regulations and Rules (SRR) and their implications for both staff and elected officials; and
e. The proposed mainstreaming of the Pan African Human Rights Institute into either the Commission or the Pan-African University.
8. Furthermore, the Commission evaluated:
a. The recommendations of the first Joint Forum of Special Mechanisms and mapped strategies for future Forums;
b. The Inaugural Forum of States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which took place on the margins of the 81st Ordinary Session of the Commission, and mapped a way forward; and
c. The conduct of the 81st Ordinary Session of the Commission, and mapped strategies for future sessions.
9. In relation to organisational and policy matters, the Commission considered Standard Operating Procedures for Effective Working Methods for Coordinating Commissioners' intersession activities within the Commission.
10. The Commission also deliberated, strategized and undertook activities on:
a. Its working methods and international best practices on human rights work and leadership; and
b. Enhancing collective leadership, teambuilding and internal coordination for more effective delivery of its mandate.
11. The Commission also:
a. Deliberated on and appointed Commissioner representatives on the Editorial Board of the African Human Rights Yearbook (AHRY);
b. Deliberated on the proposed Independent Experts for the AHRY Board and
c. Reflected on the proposed Conference on Reparations and the theme of the AHRY in 2025.
12. The Commission will hold its 82nd Private Session virtually from 25th February to 11th March 2025.
Done on 6th December 2024, in Dakar, Senegal
