On 16 November 2016, Banjul, The Gambia - The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Secretariat) wishes to inform the general public that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) upon the acceptance of its request by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is scheduled to undertake a promotion mission to the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 22 to 29 November 2016.
This Mission, which is part of the Commission’s promotion mandate, is being undertaken in accordance with Article 45(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter). The objectives of the Mission include amongst others, to: promote the African Charter and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa through the exchange of views and sharing of experiences with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the main stakeholders working in the field of human rights, on how to improve the enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights in the country; raise awareness about and visibility of the Commission in Nigeria especially among the relevant Government departments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders including the media; seek information and discuss with the relevant stakeholders on the major human rights issues in the country and on human rights issues of particular concern to the Commission; the extrajudicial or arbitrary killings and death penalty; prevention of torture; freedom of association and assembly including the situation of human rights defenders; freedom of expression and the right to information; the independence of the judiciary; the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities; persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as economic, social and cultural rights; meet with relevant State institutions and all the other stakeholders involved in the promotion of women’s rights, to discuss issues affecting women in Nigeria and ongoing policies and programmes for the protection of women’s rights in the country; and discuss with representatives of relevant Government agencies and other stakeholders including CSOs and actors in the extractive industries sector in Nigeria on human rights issues in the extractive industry and gather relevant information on the legal and institutional framework governing the exploitation of natural resources in Nigeria within the framework of Articles 21 and 24 of the African Charter.
The Commission’s Delegation will be composed of Hon. Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor, Commissioner responsible for human rights promotion in Nigeria and Special Rapporteur on Women’s Rights in Africa, Head of Delegation; and Hon. Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights in Africa.
During the Mission, the Delegation of the Commission will meet with officials from relevant Government ministries, CSOs, a cross-section of human rights actors in the country, as well as other individuals and institutions who may enlighten the Commission on the general human rights situation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Commission will also visit prisons so as to assess the extent to which conditions of detention comply with regional and international standards and to hold discussions with Prison Administrative Officials and other stakeholders on all issues relating to detention and prisons, and on the work of the Commission on this specific theme.
At the end of the Mission, the Delegation will brief the relevant authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will hold a Press Conference. Thereafter, a Report of the Mission will be tabled before the Commission for consideration and adoption at one of its upcoming Sessions of the Commission.
For further information, please contact:
The Secretariat of the Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region.
P.O Box 673 Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 220 4410505/6; 2304361
Fax: 220 4410504
E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org
