The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 39th Ordinary Session held from 11th to 25th May 2006 in Banjul, The Gambia,
Recalling its decision at its 35th Ordinary Session held from 21st May to 4th June 2004 in Banjul, The Gambia, to establish a Special Rapporteur mechanism in respect of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;
Recalling further its decision at its 35th Ordinary Session to designate, Commissioner Bahame Tom Nyanduga, as the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa for an initial period of two years;
Bearing in mind its resolution taken at its 36th Ordinary Session held from 23rd November to 7th December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal, by which it delineated the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;
Reaffirming the importance of the mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;
Alarmed by the increase in the incidence, and number of migrants seeking to leave the territories of their State Parties, travelling through hazardous, dangerous and inhuman means and conditions, and the grave violations of the right to life, freedom of movement, right to liberty and dignity, among others faced by the migrants;
Considering the necessity of allowing the Special Rapporteur to carry on his mandate;
1. Commends Commissioner Bahame Tom Nyanduga, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa for the work he has so far accomplished; in highlighting the plight of, and progress made in relation to refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons in many parts of Africa;
2. Decides to renew the term of Commissioner Bahame Tom Nyanduga as a Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, and extends the mandate to cover migration issues for a period of two years;
3. Requests the Commission of the African Union, in view of Article 41 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to provide adequate resources, assistance and support to facilitate the Special Rapporteur’s efforts in discharging his mandate;
4. Further requests the Secretariat of the African Commission to enhance its efforts to mobilise resources that could assist the Special Rapporteur to carry out his mandate.
Done 25th May 2006
