The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 60th Ordinary Session held from 8 to 22 May 2017 in Niamey, Niger;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter);
Bearing in mind Article 2 of the African Charter which guarantees every individual the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognised in the Charter regardless of race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status;
Further bearing in mind Article 18 (4) of the African Charter which provides that persons with disabilities shall also have the right to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs;
Concerned at the continued widespread discrimination, stigma and social exclusion directed at persons with albinism;
Deeply concerned at reports of systematic attacks against persons with albinism in multiple countries, including against women and children;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.263 2013 on the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism and Resolution ACHPR/Res.349 2016 on the attacks on persons with albinism in Malawi;
Welcoming the steps taken and efforts made by the countries concerned, including national action plans, to address attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism, legal action against perpetrators of attacks against persons with albinism, public condemnation of attacks against persons with albinism, and awareness-raising campaigns;
Cognizant of the Addis Ababa Road Map which aims to enhance cooperation between the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council and the Special Mechanisms of the Commission;
Aware of Resolution 23/13 of the Human Rights Council on attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism, General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/170 establishingInternational Albinism Awareness Day on 13 June, and Resolution 29/06 of the Human Rights Council establishing the mandate of the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights of Persons with Albinism;
Welcoming the adoption by the Commission of the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa;
The Commission:
1. Endorses the Regional Action Plan on Albinism in Africa (2017-2021) which lays out specific measures for addressing attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism through prevention, protection, accountability as well as equality and non-discrimination measures;
2. Urges States Parties to take all measures necessary to adopt and implement the Regional Action Plan and to ensure the effective protection and promotion of the rights of persons with albinism and members of their families;
3. Invites relevant organs and bodies of the African Union to give due regard to the Regional Action Plan within their mandates;
4. Requests the Commission and its Special Mechanisms to consider appropriate ways for the effective promotion of the Regional Action Plan and to make proposals and take actions thereon.
Done in Niamey, Republic of Niger, on 22 May 2017
