The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 48th Ordinary Session, held from 10 to 24 November 2010, in Banjul, in The Gambia:
Considering its mandate on the promotion of human and peoples rights and their protection in Africa pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/69(XXXV) 04 of 4th June 2004 on the protection of human rights defenders in Africa, its Resolution 83(XXXVIII) 05 of 5th December 2005 on the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and its Resolution CADHP/ 125(XXXXII) 07 of 28th November 2007 on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
Considering its Resolution CADHP/Res149(XLVI)09 of 25th November 2009 on the appointment of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders in Africa adopted during its 46th Ordinary Session held in Banjul in the Republic of The Gambia from 11 to 25 November 2009;
Mindful of the fact that in the Grand Bay Declaration and Action Plan (Mauritius), the Organization of African Unity (AU) urges the Member States « to take necessary measures to implement the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in Africa »;
Considering the need to split the dual mandate of Commissioner Béchir Khalfallah, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
Noting with satisfaction the work accomplished by Commissioner Béchir Khalfallah in his capacity as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
Underscoring however the magnitude of the work of the Special Rapporteur in the quest for solutions to problems arising in the context of the protection of human rights defenders in Africa and to the challenges facing human rights defenders in Africa;
Considering the need to make the mechanism of Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa more efficient, this in conformity with Resolution ACHPR/69(XXXV) 04;
Decides to appoint Commissioner Lucy AYUK ASUAGBOR as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa for a period of two (2) years with effect from 24 November 2010.
Done in Banjul, the Republic of The Gambia, 24 November 2010.
