The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is pleased to inform the general public that on 23 October 2019, during the 65th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, taking place in Banjul, The Gambia, the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa (the Working Group) organised a panel discussion on Ratification of the Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa and the Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.
Panellists included Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen (Chairperson of the Working Group); Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel (Member of the Working Group); Commissioner Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi (Member of the Working Group); Mr Tanki J. Mothae (Principal Secretary, Ministry of Law, Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights of Lesotho); and Ms Providence Umurungi (Head of International Justice and Judicial Cooperation, Ministry of Justice of Rwanda).
The overall objective of the Panel was to raise awareness about the two Protocols and encourage States to expedite ratification of the Protocols.
The Panel highlighted the background of the two Protocols, the status of signature and ratification of the Protocols, the importance of the Protocols, the experience of Lesotho as the first country to ratify the Protocol on Older Persons in Africa; and the experience of Rwanda as the latest signatory to both Protocols.
The Working Group conveys its sincere gratitude to the panellists and all the stakeholders who contributed to the Panel discussion. The Working Group remains seized of this important matter.
25 October 2019, Banjul, The Gambia
