Final Communiqué on the Third Meeting of the Study Group on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa

1.  The Study Group on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa (the Study Group) held its third meeting from 19 – 21 March 2014 in Accra, Ghana. The objectives of the meeting were to finalise and adopt a report on freedom of association and peaceful assembly in Africa and consider the draft Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa. 

2. The meeting was organised in accordance with African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) Resolution ACHPR/Res.151 (XLVI) 09 on the need to conduct a study on freedom of association in Africa, and Resolution ACHPR/Res.261 (LIV) 13 extending the deadline of the study to October 2014. 

3. The meeting was attended by the following members of the  Study Group: 

• Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
• Ms Tchamba Olivia, Assistant to the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
• Mr Hassan Shire, Representative, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project;
• Mr Joseph Bikanda, Representative, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project;
• Mr Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Representative, International Service for Human Rights;
• Mr Abdoul Diallo Gadiry, Representative, West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network;
• Ms Jainaba Johm, Representative, African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies;
• Mr Christopher Michael Roberts, Representative, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies;
• Mr John Foley, Representative, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project;
• Ms Meskerem Geset, Representative, Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa;
• Ms Corlett Letlojane, Representative, Human Rights Institute of South Africa; and
• Ms Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, Representative, Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network. 

4. The following resource persons were also in attendance:

• Prof Salami Ibrahim, Faculty of Law, University of Abomey-Calavi;
• Dr Waruguru Kaguongo, Research Assistant to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association;
• Mr Arnorld Tsunga, Director, Africa Regional Programme, International Commission of Jurists;
• Prof Martin Jones, Centre for Applied Human Rights, York University;
• Ms Irene Petras, Executive Director, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights;
• Mr Mabassa Fall, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Representative to the African Union; and
• Mr Emerson Sykes, Representative, International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law.      

5. The meeting was chaired by Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa and Chairperson of the Study Group on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa. 

6. During the opening ceremony, Mr Hassan Shire, Representative of East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, spoke on behalf of financial partners and underscored the significance of the work of the Study Group, stating that freedom of association is a gateway to all the other rights guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He reiterated the commitment of partners to support the study to its conclusion. The study, he emphasised, is possible given the constant commitment of the various sub-regional human rights defenders networks in Africa, partners and other stakeholders. 

7. In her opening statement, Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou, Chairperson of the Study Group, expressed satisfaction with the progress made regarding the activities of the Study Group despite the various challenges faced in submitting the findings of the study on time. She welcomed the support provided by partners of the Study Group, including International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law and East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project. She also reminded the members of the Study Group of the significance of the meeting. 

8. During the three-day meeting, the members of the Study Group reviewed the draft report and incorporated comments and suggestions. The resource persons helped in identifying specific areas in the report that require further analysis. 

9. Following an analysis of the situation in various African countries, participants were able to identify the major obstacles to the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Despite the efforts of the Commission, in particular by issuing resolutions, press releases and statements, civil society organisations are still restricted from conducting their activities. The study is aimed at highlighting the situation of these rights in the countries identified. It contains recommendations to various stakeholders towards the effective implementation of these rights which are still an area of concern. 

10. The members of the Study Group discussed their future activities and the need for an effective follow-up. They recommended that a special mechanism should be established to monitor the implementation of the recommendations contained in the study. 

11. The Study Group outlined a strategic framework for the drafting of the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa. As such, the members of the Study Group decided that the draft Guidelines will be presented during the NGO Forum to be held prior to the 55^th Ordinary Session of the Commission to be organised in Luanda, Angola. The aim is to collect comments and suggestions from civil society on the approach adopted by the Study Group. This meeting with civil society will be followed by a meeting of experts to be held in June 2014. The final document will be submitted to the Commission for adoption during its 56^th Ordinary Session to be held in October 2014. The Guidelines establish a protection threshold towards preventing disparities in guaranteeing these rights and will help to guide States in implementing the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly at the country level. 

12. The report on freedom of association and peaceful assembly in Africa will be submitted to the Commission for adoption during the Commission’s 55^th Ordinary Session scheduled for 28 April – 12 May 2014 in Luanda, Angola.   

13. The closing ceremony of the third meeting of the Study Group on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly in Africa was held on 21 March 2014 at Miklin Hotel in Accra, Republic of Ghana.

Accra, 21 March 2014