The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) meeting at its 50th Ordinary Session held from 24th October to 5th November 2011, in Banjul, The Gambia:
Recalling its mandate to promote human and peoples rights and ensure their protection in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (the African Charter);
Aware that in the exercise of its mandate, the African Commission has established various mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa;
Recalling the Resolution on the Mandate and Appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted at its 36th Ordinary Session held from 23 November - 7 December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal;
Emphasizing that the right to freedom of expression and access to information is a fundamental human right guaranteed inter alia by Article 9 of the African Charter;
Recalling the adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, at its 32nd Ordinary Session held from 17 - 23 October 2002, in Banjul, The Gambia, which elaborates the nature, content and extent of the right to freedom of expression and access to information provided for under Article 9 of the African Charter;
Reaffirming the commitment of the African Commission to promote the right to freedom of expression and access to information and monitor the implementation of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa within Member States of the African Union;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.84 (XXXXV) 05, appointing Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula, as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted at the 38th Ordinary Session held from 21 November to 5 December 2005, in Banjul, The Gambia;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.122 (XXXXII) 07 on the Expansion of the Mandate and Re-appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa adopted at the 42nd Ordinary Session held from 15 to 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;
Further recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res161(XLVI) 09, renewing the mandate of the Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula, as Special Rapporteur, adopted during the 46th Ordinary Session held from 11 to 24 November 2009 in Banjul, The Gambia;
Noting with appreciation the work and accomplishment of Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula as Special Rapporteur of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa;
Considering the term of Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa will end on 5 November 2011;
Considering further the necessity to allow the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa to carry out its mandate as contained in resolution ACHPR/Res.122 (XXXXII) 07;
DECIDES to re-appoint Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa for a period of two years, effective 5 November 2011.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 05 November 2011
