The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 61st Ordinary Session held from 1 to 15 November 2017 in Banjul, The Gambia:
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Further recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.118 (XXXXII), on the Appointment of a Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa, that was adopted at the 42nd Ordinary Session, held from 15 to 28 November 2007 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo;
Further recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.143 (XXXXV) 09 transforming the Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa into a Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa;
Considering that the African Charter makes specific provisions for the protection of these rights, under Article 18 (4), which stipulates that “the aged and the disabled shall also have the right to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs”;
Considering the mandate assigned to the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities, and to facilitate the process of drafting the Protocol on Ageing, ensuring compliance by State Parties with the recommendations contained in the AU Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.189 (XLIX) 2011 adopted in May 2011, increasing the number of Experts of the Working Group to effectively implement its mandate;
Further recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.250 (LIV) 13 on the renewal of the mandate and appointment of the Chairperson and other Members of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa;
Considering Resolution ACHPR/Res.312 (LVII) 2015 on the Renewal of the Mandate and Reconstitution of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa;
Considering that during its 19th Extraordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 16 to 25 February 2016, the Commission decided to assign the drafting process of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security, to the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa in accordance with the said AU Executive Council decision;
Noting with appreciation the work done by the Working Group under the leadership of Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen since his appointment on 28 November 2007;
Considering that the two-year mandate of the Chairperson and other expert members of the Working Group has come to an end;
Considering the need to allow the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities to continue to carry out its mandate and to address urgent related matters;
Decides to:
- Re-appoint Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen as Chairperson of the Working Group for a period of two years as from 15 November 2017;
- Renew for the same period the mandate of Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute and Commissioner Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi as members of the Working Group;
- Appoint for the same period Commissioner Maya Sahli Fadel as member of the Working Group;
- Renew for the same period the mandate of the following Expert Members:
- Dr Tavengwa Machekano Nhongo
- Ms Nadia Abdel-Wahab El-Afify;
- Mr Kudakwashe Dube; and
- Ms Géronime Tokpo.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 15 November 2017
