The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) informs the public that its 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/AIDS Committee) will undertake a human rights promotion mission in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire from 23 to 28 May 2016. The delegation will be composed of:
- Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maiga, Vice-Chairperson of the Commission and Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Committee (Head of Delegation);
- Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini Gansou, Member of the HIV/AIDS Committee and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
- Mr Patrick Michael Eba, Expert Member of the HIV/AIDS Committee and UNAIDS personnel.
The delegation will be assisted during the mission by personnel of the Secretariat of the Commission.
The visit is part of the promotion mandate of the Commission under Article 45 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter). The objectives of the visit are as follows: promote the African Charter, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) and other regional and international human rights instruments; assess the situation of the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at risk, vulnerable to and affected by HIV; identify progress made and the challenges faced in the exercise and full enjoyment of their rights; assess the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country; discuss with the authorities and the relevant stakeholders about the legislative, political and other measures taken regarding prevention, treatment, care and assistance to people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at risk, vulnerable to and affected by HIV in Côte d’Ivoire; inquire about ongoing programmes and strategies in the area of prevention against mother-to-child transmission; discuss with the authorities about the existing legal framework and programmes and measures implemented to combat discrimination and stigma against people living with HIV and related human rights violations; visit hospitals, screening centres and other related institutions; meet with representatives of the relevant civil society organisations; follow up on the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations to the Ivorian Government made in its Concluding Observations adopted during its 13th Extraordinary Session held from 19 to 25 February 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia, following Côte d’Ivoire’s presentation of its combined Periodic Report.
During the visit, the members of the delegation will also meet with major stakeholders working to promote and protect human rights and the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at risk, vulnerable to and affected by HIV, in particular representatives of ministries, Members of Parliament, national HIV/AIDS institutions and mechanisms, UN agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
At the end of the visit, the delegation will present its preliminary findings to the competent authorities and will hold a press conference. The delegation will present its conclusions in a detailed report that will be submitted to the Commission at a later Session.
Banjul, 18 May 2016
For further information, please contact:
Secretariat of the Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region
P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: (+220) 441 05 05 /441 05 06
Fax: (+220) 441 05 04
Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org
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