Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa - ACHPR/Res. 503 (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); 

Awarethat in the exercise of its mandate, the Commission has established various mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa;

Bearing in mind specifically,Articles 21 and 24 of the African Charter, on the right of all peoples to freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources, and to a generally satisfactory environment favourable to their development;

Recallingits previous Resolutions on the need for an improved protection of human rights and the environment, especially through improving the regulatory framework for the activities of the extractive industries, developing effective continental mechanisms for monitoring the human rights impact of the activities of the extractive industries and the development of jurisprudence on holding non-state actors accountable for human rights violations in Africa;

Recalling in particular, Resolution ACHPR/Res. 148(XLVI) 2009, establishing the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa (the Working Group), and Resolution ACHPR/Res. 364(LIX) 2016 on Developing Reporting Guidelines with Respect to the Extractive Industries;

Notingwith satisfaction the work accomplished by the Working Group up-to-date and recognizing its importance, as well as the need to allow it to continue carrying out its mandate;

RecallingResolutions ACHPR/Res.321(LVII)2015, ACHPR/Res. 353 (EXT.OS/XX) 2016, ACHPR/Res.386(LXI)2017, ACHPR/Res.425(LXV)2019 and ACHPR/Res.459(LXVI)2020  relating to the mandate and composition of the Working Group;

Bearing in mindthe Standard Operating Procedures on the Special Mechanisms of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights(the Standard Operating Procedureson Special Mechanisms) adopted by the Commission at its 27^th Extraordinary Session, held from February 19 to March 4, 2020 in Banjul, The Gambia;

Noting in particularthe guidelines set out in the Standard Operating Procedureson Special Mechanisms, in particular the role and responsibilities, in general, of mandate-holders, the composition of Special Mechanisms, the appointment of members and the duration of their mandate as well as the code of conduct of mandate holders;

Further notingthe decisions taken during the 69^th Ordinary Session held from 15 November to 05 December 2021, regarding the allocation of responsibilities relating to Special Mechanisms among the Commissioners;

Decides toappoint and reconstitute the Membership of the Working Group as follow:

1. Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson;
2. Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Vice-Chairperson;
3. CommissionerMudford Zachariah Mwandenga , Member; and
4. Maintain the Membership of Expert Members.

Done virtually, on 5 December 2021