Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Working Group on Communications - ACHPR/Res. 502 (LXIX)2021

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 69^th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 15 November to 5 December 2021;

Recallingits mandate of promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter); 

Notingits protection mandate which involves the consideration of Communications alleging human rights violations against State Parties to the African Charter, pursuant to Articles 47 and 55 of the African Charter;

Notingits Resolution ACHPR/Res.194 (L) 11 adopted at its 50^th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 24 October to 5 November 2011 establishing a Working Group on Communications  (Working Group) and appointing its Members;

Noting alsoits Resolution ACHPR/Res.212 (EXT.OS/XI) 2012 adopted at its 11^th Extra-Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 21 February to 1 March 2012 defining the mandate of the Working Group;

Recallingits Resolution ACHPR/Res.255 (LII) 2012 on the extension of the mandate and modification of the composition of the Working Group adopted at its 52^nd Ordinary Session held from 9 to 22 October 2012 in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire;

Further Recallingits Resolutions ACHPR/Res.255 (LIV) 2013 and ACHPR/Res.314 (LVII) 2015 on the renewal of the mandate of the Working Group for two-year periods;

Further recallingResolution ACHPR/Res.385 (LXI) 2017 on the Renewal of the Mandate and Reconstitution of the Working Group;

Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.425 (LXV) 2019 which renewed the mandate of all its Special Mechanisms, including the Working Group for a period of six (6) months, with effect from 10 November 2019;

RecallingResolution ACHPR/Res. 462 (LXVI) 2020 which renewed the mandate, appointed the Chairperson, and reconstituted Members of the Working Group for a period of two (2) years effective from 7 August 2020;

Further RecallingResolution ACHPR/Res. 480 (LXVIII) 2021 which redistributedcountry rapporteurship and Special Mechanism Mandates amongst Commissioners;

Bearing in mindthe Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to its Special Mechanisms, adopted during its 27^th Extra-Ordinary Session held from 19 February to 4 March 2020, in Banjul, The Gambia;

Noting in particular,guidance provided by the SOPS on the working modalities of Special Mechanisms, general roles and responsibilities of mandate holders, the composition, appointment, tenure and conduct of mandate holders; as well as terms of office of Expert Members;

Decidesto appoint and reconstitute the Membership of the Working Group as follows:

1. Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo, Chairperson;
2. Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, Vice-Chairperson;
3. Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Member;
4. Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Member; and
5. Commissioner Idrissa Sow-, Member.

Done virtually, on 5 December 2021