Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV - ACHPR/Res. 501 (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); 

Consideringthat as part of fulfilling its mandate, the Commission has established various mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa;

Recognizingits fundamental role to protect vulnerable groups in Africa from human rights violations;

Recognisingfurtherthat people living with HIV and those at risk are currently one of the most vulnerable groups exposed to serious violations of human rights in Africa;

Recallingits Resolution ACHPR/Res.163 (XLVII) 2010 adopted at its 47^th Ordinary Session on the establishment of a Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and Those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV (the HIV Committee);

Further recallingits Resolutions ACHPR/Res.172 (XLVIII) 2010 and ACHPR/ Res. 285 (EXT.OS/XVI) 2014, allappointing Members for the HIV Committee;

Bearing in mindits Resolutions ACHPR/Res.195 (L) 2011and ACHPR/Res.325 (LVII) 2015 on the Appointment of the various Chairpersons of the HIV Committee;

Considering itsResolutions ACHPR/Res.220 (LI) 2012, ACHPR/Res.279 (LV) 2014, and ACHPR/Res. 352(EXT.OS/XX) 2016, all on the renewal of the mandate of the HIV Committee and its Members;

RecallingResolution ACHPR/Res.383 (LXI) 2017 on the Renewal of the Mandate and Reconstitution of the HIV Committee;

Further recallingResolution ACHPR/Res.425 (LXV) 2019 which renewed the mandate of all its Special Mechanisms, including the HIV Committee for a period of six (6) months, with effect from 10 November 2019;

Further recallingResolution ACHPR/Res.460 (LXVI) 2020 on the renewal of the mandate, Appointment of the Chairperson and Reconstitution of the HIV Committee for a period of two (2) years, effective 7 August 2020;

Bearing in mindthe Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to its Special Mechanisms, adopted during its 27^th Extra-Ordinary Session held from 19 February to 4 March 2020, in Banjul, The Gambia;

Noting in particular,guidance provided by the SOPS on the working modalities of Special Mechanisms, general roles and responsibilities of mandate holders, the composition, appointment, tenure and conduct of mandate holders; as well as terms of office of Expert Members;

Notingwith appreciationthe work undertaken by the HIV Committee under the leadership of Commissioner Alexia Gertrude Amesbury in the discharge of its mandate; 

Further noting the resignationof the Chairperson before the end of her mandate;

Recognizingthe importance of the HIV Committee in the promotion and protection of the rights of People living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and affected by HIV in Africa and the necessity to allow the HIV Committee to continue to carry out its mandate; 

Decides to appoint and reconstitute the Membership of theCommittee as follows:

i.                   Commissioner Janet Ramatouli Sallah-Njie, Chairperson;

ii.                 Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga, Vice-Chairperson;

iii.              Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, Member; and

iv.               Maintain the Membership of Expert Members.

Done virtually, on 5 December 2021