The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 66th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 13 July to 7 August 2020:
Recalling its 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);
Reaffirming the importance of observing the objectives and principles of the African Charter for the promotion and protection of the human rights of all, including those of detainees and prisoners;
Recalling its decision taken at its 20th Ordinary Session held in Grand Bay, Mauritius in October 1996 to establish the office and to appoint a Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa, as a prison monitoring mechanism;
Further recalling its decision taken at its 38th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, in November/December 2005 to appoint the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa;
Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.126 (XXXXII) 07 on the Appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa adopted at the 42nd Ordinary Session held from 15 – 28 November 2007, in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.306 (EXT.OS/ XVIII) 2015 Expanding the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa to include issues relating to Policing and human rights with the following amended title: The Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa;
Considering Resolution ACHPR/Res.378(LXI) 2017 on the Appointment of Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela as the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa, adopted at the 61st Ordinary Session held from 1 to 15 November 2017, in Banjul, The Gambia;
Noting with appreciation the work already carried out by Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela as the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa;
Considering that the mandate of Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela as the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa, has come to an end on 10 May 2020;
Noting the Final Communiqué of the 28th Extraordinary Session held from 29 June to 1 July 2020 wherein responsibilities were assigned to Commissioners;
Decides to renew the mandate of CommissionerMaria Teresa Manuela as the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa, for a period of two (2) years, effective from 01 July 2020.
Done virtually, 07 August 2020
