Resolution Appointing the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa - ACHPR/Res.203(L)2011

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 50^th Ordinary Session held from 24^th October to 5^th November, 2011 in Banjul, The Gambia,

Recalling its mission to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (the African Charter);

Bearing in mind  the adoption and entry into force of the 1951 Convention  relating to the status of refugees and its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention governing  specific  aspects of  refugee problems in Africa;

Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res. 72(XXXV)04 adopted at its 35th Ordinary Session held from 21^st May to 4^th June 2004 in Banjul, The Gambia, to establish a Special Rapporteur for the Mechanism in respect of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;

Bearing in mind its resolution ACHPR/Res. 72(XXXVI)04  adopted at its 36^th Ordinary Session held from 23^rd November to 7^th December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal, by which it delineated the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa;

Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res. 95(XXXIX) 06 which broadens the terms of reference of the Special Rapporteur to cover problems of migrants;

Alarmed by the increase in the number of migrants seeking to leave the territories of their State Parties, travelling through hazardous, dangerous and inhuman means;

Considering the worsening situation of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons;

Bearing in mind the adoption of the Convention on Internally Displaced Persons, Repatriated Persons and Refugees adopted by the African Union in Kampala in 2009;

Considering the necessity of continuing with advocacy for the signing and ratification of the Kampala Convention to ensure its entry into force and its implementation by the States Parties on the Continent;

Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.187 (XLIX) 2011 relating to the appointment of Commissioner KAYITESI Zainabou Sylvie as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants  in Africa ;

Noting with satisfaction the work accomplished by Commissioner  KAYITESI Zainabou Sylvie, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa; 

Reaffirming the importance of the Mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa; 

Considering the necessity of allowing the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants  in Africa to continue executing its  mandate;

Decides to appoint Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel as Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa, for an initial period of two years with effect from 05 November, 2011.

DONE IN BANJUL, THE GAMBIA ON 05 NOVEMBER 2011