The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) by Resolution 51(XXVIII)00, adopted at its 28th Ordinary Session held in Cotonou, Benin, from 23rd October to 6th November 2000, established the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa (as it is now known) - Working Group.
The Working Group is composed of five Experts representing the five regions of the continent, taking into account the imperatives of linguistic and gender representation. Its mandate is as follows:
· Examine the concept of indigenous people and communities in Africa;
· Study the implications of the African Charter on Human Rights and well-being of indigenous communities especially regarding the rights to equality (Articles 2 & 3), dignity (Article 5), protection against domination (Article 19), self-determination (Article 20) and the promotion of cultural development and identity (Article 22);
· Consider appropriate recommendations for the monitoring and protection of the rights of indigenous communities
· Gather information from all relevant sources (including governments, civil society, indigenous populations, and their communities) on violations of human rights; and undertake country visits for human rights monitoring and promotion.
· Produce a detailed report on its activities to the African Commission at each Ordinary Session.
The Working Group's mandate also includes promotion missions to States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter), organization of seminars and training sessions, publication of reports and research findings, sending urgent appeals to States Parties to the African Charter and active participation in regional and international meetings on the Rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa.
In accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures on the Special Mechanism of the African Commission on Human and peoples’ Rights, its mandate and Resolution 455(LXVI) 2020 on the Renewal of the Mandate, Appointment of the chairperson, Reconstitution and Expansion of Mandate of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities, in Africa, under which the mandate of the current members expires on 1 July 2022, the Working Group invites interested persons to submit their applications to serve as Independent Expert Members.
Candidates must be nationals of the Member States of the African Union and have proven experience and expertise in the field of human rights, in particular on issues relating to the Rights of Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities. The term of office of the members of the Working Group shall be two (2) years.
Applications must be accompanied by a Covering Letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae and any other relevant documents. It shall be received at the Secretariat of the Commission within one (1) month from the date of publication of this call, that is, no later than 27 July 2022. The Commission intends to appoint the new Expert Members of the Working Group during its 72nd Private Ordinary Session. Dates of the said Session will be communicated in due course.
Applications must be sent by e-mail to au-banjul@africa-union.org and africancommission@yahoo.com) or by post to the address below:
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout,
Kombo North District, Western Region
P. O. Box 673 Banjul
The Gambia
