The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 66th Ordinary Session, held virtually from 13 July to 7 August 2020:
Recalling its mandate of promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter);
Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.38 (XXXVIII) 99, adopted at its 25th Ordinary Session, held from 26 April to 5 May 1999 in Bujumbura, Burundi, on the establishment of a Special Mechanism on the Rights of Women in Africa;
Recalling its decision taken at its 30th Ordinary Session, held from 17 to 27 October 2001 in Banjul, The Gambia, to appoint the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Special Rapporteur); as well as ACHPR/Res.63(XXXIV) 03 and ACHPR/Res.78(XXXVIII) 05 on the renewal of the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
Recalling also ResolutionsACHPR/Res.112(XXXXII) 07 on the appointment of the Special Rapporteur; ACHPR/Res.154 (XLVI) 09, ACHPR/Res.205 (L) 11 and ACHPR/Res.245 (LIV) 13 on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa;
Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/Res.327(LVII)2015 on the appointment of Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor as the Special Rapporteur;
Recalling its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.380(LXI)2017 on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Special Rapporteurand ACHPR/Res.425(LXV)2019 on the renewal of the ACHPR’s Special Mechanisms’ mandates;
Notingthe Final Communiqué of the 28th Extraordinary Session held from 29 June to 1 July 2020 wherein responsibilities were assigned to Commissioners;
Bearing in mind that the mandate of Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor has come to an end;
Recognizing her immense contribution to the advancement of the rights of women and girls on the continent throughout her period of service as a member of the Commission;
Cognizant of the fact that women’s rights need sustained promotion and protection as many women and girls in Africa are still vulnerable and seriously exposed to human rights violations;
Recalling the Commission’s goal to continue to advocate for the ratification and implementation of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) by all States Parties to the African Charter;
Reaffirming the importance of the mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa and the need to continue the implementation of its mandate;
Decides to renew the mandate and appoint for two years, Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, effective from 01 July 2020.
Done virtually, 07 August 2020
