The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 19th Extra-Ordinary Session held from 16 to 25 February 2016 in Banjul, The Islamic Republic of The Gambia;
Considering its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling that it established a Working Group on indigenous populations/communities in Africa (the Working Group) composed of ten members, including three members of the Commission;
Further recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.65 (XXXIV) 03 on the Report of the Working Group of the Commission adopted at its 34th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 6 to 20 November 2003;
Recalling Resolutions ACHPR/Res.123 (XXXXII) of 2007, ACHPR/Res.155 (XLVI) of 2009, ACHPR/Res.204 (L) of 2011, ACHPR/Res.249 (LIV) of 2013 and ACHPR/Res.323 (LVII) of 2015 on the renewal of the Working Group’s mandate for a period of two years each;
Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.237 (LIII) of 2013 on the appointment of two new expert members of the Working Group;
Recognizing the importance of the actions of the Working Group in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous populations/communities in Africa, and the need to allow the Working Group to continue carrying out its mandate;
Cognizant of the need for the Working Group to expand its membership to properly discharge its mandate;
Mindful of the need to guarantee equal representation taking into consideration, in particular, the gender balance and geographical, linguistic and legal diversity;
The Commission:
Decides to appoint Mr. Belkacem Lounes (Algeria) as a member of the Working Group from this day 25 February 2016 to 4 November 2017.
Done in Banjul, The Islamic Republic of The Gambia, 25 February 2016
