The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (the Commission) wishes to inform the public that, at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, the following members of the Commission will be undertaking a Promotion Mission to the Republic of Cameroon from 4 to 14 September 2012:
a) Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maïga, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa,
b) Honourable Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor, Chairperson of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV.
The Mission is being undertaken within the framework of the promotion mandate of the Commission under Article 45 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter); Article 3 of Resolution ACHPR/res.38 (XXV) 99 on the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on the Rights of women in Africa; and Article 2 of Resolution ACHPR/Res.163 (XLVII) 10 on the establishment of a Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) and Those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV.
The objective of the Mission is, to among other things, collect all relevant information on the level of enjoyment by women and girls of their rights, as well as the obstacles they face in exercising them; exchange information on the laws and other experiences in the fight against discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV and those at risk; and follow up on the monitoring and implementation of the recommendations contained in the Concluding Observations adopted during the 47th Ordinary Session of the Commission following the consideration of Cameroon’s combined Periodic Report (2003-2008). The Honourable Commissioners will also use the opportunity of the Mission to advocate for the ratification of regional and international human rights instruments which have not been ratified by Cameroon.
During the Mission, the Delegation accompanied by staff of the Secretariat of the Commission will meet with key human rights stakeholders including officials from the relevant government ministries and institutions, civil society organizations as well as all other actors capable of enlightening it on the measures taken by the Republic of Cameroon to give effect to the provisions of the African Charter and other regional instruments which bind on the country.
At the end of the Mission, the preliminary findings will be discussed with the relevant authorities and a press conference will be held. Thereafter, a Report of the Mission will be prepared and tabled before the Commission for consideration. Once adopted, the Report will be sent to the State Party for its observations after which it will be made public.
Banjul, 13 August 2012
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For further information, please contact:
The Secretary of the African Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region,
P.O. Box 673, Banjul, the Gambia
Tel: 220 4410505/ 4410506
Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org or irenedesire@yahoo.com or charles.nguena@gmail.com
