The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 45th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 13 to 27 May 2009:
Considering Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, in particular Articles 5,6,12, 13, 20 and 24; the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; the AU Declaration on an Africa Fit for Children, and the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa;
Recalling its Resolution No. ACHPR/Res.38 (XXV) 99, adopted at its 25th Ordinary Session held from 26th April to 5th May 1999, in Bujumbura, Burundi, on the Establishment of the Mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa;
Taking note of the important work achieved by this Mechanism since its establishment;
Considering that the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa takes the situation of the girl child into account and complements the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;
Being aware that to date, the Special Mechanism on the Rights of Women in Africa does not cover the Rights of the Child;
Concerned about the unremitting increase of serious violations against the rights of the child in Africa;
Recalling the Brainstorming session between organs of the African Union with a human rights mandate, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 28 to 30 September 2008, which resolved to enhance cooperation between these organs,
Given the need to promote and protect the fundamental rights of the child in Africa through enhanced cooperation between the African Commission and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child:
Hereby resolves to:
Establish a formal relationship between the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, with the view to enhancing cooperation between the two mechanisms;
Designate the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa to collaborate closely with the States Parties, Intergovernmental Organisations, and Non Governmental Organisations working on the rights of the child in Africa;
Calls upon the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa to Report to African Commission during its Ordinary Sessions on the status of this cooperation.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia 27 May 2009.
