Hon. Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo

Hon. Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo

Commissioner

Honourable Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, a national of Mauritius, was elected as a member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in October 2021 and sworn into office on 15 November 2021. She is the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa; Vice-Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa; Member of the Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa; and member of the Resolutions Committee.

She is a lawyer with great expertise in International Maritime Law. She currently works as a Parliamentary Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office. Her areas of experience include representing the State in court cases, tendering advice to various Ministries and drafting legislation.

Honourable Topsy-Sonoo works in English but is also highly proficient in French.

Special Mechanisms Appointments
Session Special Mechanisms Role/Functions Resolutions Start Date End Date Type
69th Ordinary Session Committee on Resolutions Committee Member Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Committee on Resolutions - ACHPR/Res. 496 (LXIX)2021 New
69th Ordinary Session Working Group on Death Penalty, Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa Working Group Member Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa - ACHPR/Res. 500 (LXIX)2021 New
69th Ordinary Session Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations Working Group Member Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa - ACHPR/Res. 503 (LXIX)2021 New
69th Ordinary Session Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information Special Rapporteur Resolution on the Appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa - ACHPR/Res. 504 (LXIX)2021 New
69th Ordinary Session Advisory Committee on Budgetary and Staff Matters Committee Member Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Budgetary and Staff Matters - ACHPR/Res. 498 (LXIX)2021 New
73rd Public Ordinary Session Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information Special Rapporteur Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa - ACHPR/Res.528 (LXXIII) 2022 Renewal
73rd Public Ordinary Session Advisory Committee on Budgetary and Staff Matters Committee Member Resolution on the renewal of the mandate and reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Budgetary and Personnel Matters - ACHPR/Res.536 (LXXIII) 2022 Renewal
73rd Public Ordinary Session Committee on Resolutions Committee Member Resolution on the Reconstitution of the Resolutions Committee - ACHPR/Res.537 (LXXIII) 2022 Renewal
SessionRoles/FunctionsStart DateEnd DateType
69th Ordinary SessionCommissioner New