Final Communiqué of the 68th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

Virtual Session
14 April – 4 May 2021
1.The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) held its 68th Ordinary Session (the Session) from 14 April to 4 May 2021. The Session was held virtually due to the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2.His Excellency Bankole Adewoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the African Union Commission (AUC), representing His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC, graced the Opening Ceremony of the Session as the guest of honour.

3.The Session was opened by Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson of the Commission, who then presided over the Session with the assistance of Honourable Commissioner Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Vice-Chairperson of the Commission.

4.The following Members of the Commission participated in the Session:
i.Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson;
ii.Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Vice-Chairperson;
iii.Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel;
iv.Honourable Commissioner Jamesina Essie L. King;
v.Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem;
vi.Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela;
vii.Honourable Commissioner Alexia Amesbury;
viii.Honourable Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga; and
ix.Honourable Commissioner Maria Louise Abomo.   

5.Honourable Commissioner NDiamé Gaye, who did not take part in the previous Sessions due to his health status, unfortunately passed away on 11 March 2021 during the intersessional period. 

6.The Commission and all participants observed a minute of silence in his memory and a fitting tribute was paid to him by all speakers throughout the Session. The Commission reiterates its condolences to his family, to the People and Government of Senegal, his country of origin, and to the entire human rights community.

7.Tribute was paid to the memory of African and human rights personalities who passed away in the intersessional period, including Professor Christof Heyns, former member of the Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings in Africa, among others.

8.In the same spirit, the Commission paid tribute to and honoured the memory of President Idris Deby Itno of the Republic of Chad who passed away while the Session was in progress.

9.Statements were delivered during the Opening Ceremony by His Excellency Bankole Adewoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission (AUC), representing His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC; Ms. Hannah Forster, Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, representing the Steering Committee of the Forum of NGOs; Dr. Elasto Hilarious Mugwadi, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and Vice-Chairperson of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, representing the Network; His Excellency Eamon Gilmore, European Union Special Representative for Human Rights; Her Excellency Michèle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in a pre-recorded video; Honourable Ndayisenga Joseph, Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; Honourable Justice Sylvain Oré, President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights; His Excellency Momodou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia, on behalf of all States Parties, in a pre-recorded video; and Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson of the Commission.

10.In his opening statement delivered on behalf of His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC, His Excellency Bankole Adewoye commended the multiple efforts made by the Commission to address and respond to human rights issues despite the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has adverse effects on human rights. 

11.He welcomed the various innovations of Member States in the area of human and peoples’ rights, including the operationalisation of the National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia by the government. 

12.For the Representative of the Chairperson of the AUC, the African human rights system has come of age. It is comprehensive and all-encompassing in its mandate and its objectives as it focuses on all possible aspects of human rights; the content and scope of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights are a telling example. 

13.He further highlighted the relevance of the African Union’s 2021 theme to the mission of the Commission and informed the assembly that every effort is being made to mobilise all necessary resources to operationalise the African Union Human Rights Memorial (AUHRM). He added that the Memorial project will not only help to preserve some of Africa’s human rights heritage, but will also serve as awareness creation against human rights abuses among the youth and the future generation.   

14.In conclusion, he reiterated that the promotion and protection of human rights is a collective responsibility. Therefore, a synergy of actions is imperative in order to promote and protect human rights, particularly in Africa’s cultural practices, art promotion and heritage.

15.In her statement, Ms. Hannah Foster provided a summary of the proceedings of the Forum of NGOs held prior to this 68th Ordinary Session and expressed satisfaction at the quality of the deliberations which resulted in the adoption of two Resolutions and five recommendations submitted to the Commission. She indicated that the theme of the Forum of NGOs “The Africa we want: the role of Arts, Culture and Heritage in  the realization  of Human Rights in a post-Covid-19 Environment” was selected in a bid to contribute to the discussion on the African Union theme for 2021 “Arts,  Culture  and  Heritage:  Levers  for  Building  the  Africa  We  Want” while identifying strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of the pandemic, which is still active and increasingly virulent on the African continent.

16.She also provided an overview of major positive and negative developments relating to the human rights situation on the continent and highlighted the need to look ahead to the post-health crisis era when formulating solutions to human rights challenges. She took the opportunity to call on States and non-State actors to make the COVID-19 vaccine a universal public good, in the absence of which, the most vulnerable would be discriminated in terms of access to the vaccine. 

17.Finally, in addition to this recommendation and in the light of ongoing violent crisis situations on the continent such as the one in Tigray, Ethiopia, she urged the Commission to call on the Member States of the African Union to never allow a repetition of atrocities such as the Rwandan genocide. She called on the Commission to encourage States to submit their periodic reports in a timely manner in accordance with Article 62 of the Charter, to ratify human rights instruments that have not yet been ratified, and to ensure that these treaties are effectively integrated into the internal legal systems of the States. 

18.In his address, Dr. Elasto Hilarious Mugwadi recalled that the 68th Ordinary Session was being held exactly 27 years since the genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda, with all its atrocities, and stressed that all measures should be taken to prevent a repeat in Africa or anywhere else of similar tragedies. 

19.He stated that this Session was an opportunity for NANHRI, a regional body of national human rights institutions, to evaluate the progress made and identify gaps as well as ways of working together towards achieving the overall goal of ensuring the full realisation of human rights. 

20.After commending the Commission for giving centre stage to matters relating to the rights of women on the agenda of the 68th Session, Dr. Mugwadi informed the audience that NANHRI held its Second NHRI Forum on 8 and 9 April 2021 during which the role of NHRIs in promoting the realization of the rights of indigenous women in Africa was discussed. The Forum noted that Africa does not necessarily lack the legal instruments required for the promotion and protection of women’s rights, but that their effective implementation was lacking. Dr. Mugwadi stated that this was why women across the continent are facing numerous challenges, while indigenous women bear the brunt of such challenges because of their vulnerability. 

21.Dr. Mugwadi expressed NANHRI’s concern about the deteriorating human rights situation on the continent, in particular, the upsurge in armed conflicts and the intensification of terrorist activities across Africa.

22.He also indicated that the situation has been further exacerbated by the current health crisis, which has resulted in the restriction of the movements of State and non-State human rights actors. While stressing the importance of collaboration between these two actors in order to build an Africa of peace and prosperity by curbing the phenomenon of impunity which is at the forefront of State action, Dr. Mugwadi indicated that NANHRI has developed a number of mechanisms and tools to address reprisals, and urged technical and financial partners to support NANHRI in ensuring their implementation. He took the opportunity to call on States to support NHRIs in delivering their mandate and also allow other non-State actors to play their role for the realisation of human rights.

23.He concluded by reaffirming NANHRI’s commitment to work in collaboration with the Commission and other organs of the African Union towards an Africa that builds its future by empowering its women and girls.

24.In his address, Mr Eamon Gilmore emphasised that the African Union and the European Union share the same values and objectives and recalled the strong relationship that exists between the two institutions in the area of human rights and democracy. 

25.Mr Eamon Gilmore then underscored the impact of the pandemic on the activities of human rights actors and listed some of the violations that, in his opinion, had been amplified by the pandemic. He indicated that human rights must be kept at the heart in the response to the pandemic, as discussed at the Human Rights Dialogue held in December 2020. 

26.Mr Eamon Gilmore also highlighted the adoption of certain mechanisms within the European system to reinforce the protection of human rights, before pointing out that he has been working with the relevant actors to address the humanitarian crisis and the human rights situation in the Sahel region and in Ethiopia. He noted the importance of the Commission’s decision to conduct an enquiry into alleged human rights violations in Tigray.

27.Mr Gilmore concluded by recalling that respect for human rights is not a political choice for States, but a legal obligation rooted in international and regional human rights instruments, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He expressed hope that the 40th anniversary of the Charter would be a year when renewed commitment to human rights is made and human rights are fully realised for all human beings, with no discrimination based on any grounds in Africa, in Europe and around the world.

28.In her statement, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet indicated that her Office shares the vision of Agenda 2063 and values its partnership with the Commission as manifested in the joint Memorandum of Understanding. 

29.H.E. Michelle Bachelet recalled the challenges posed by the pandemic to human rights protection and highlighted some of the human rights violations resulting from the enforcement of Covid-19 restrictive measures. 

30.While acknowledging the dedication shown by the scientific and medical communities, and those funding scientific research, to fast-track the development of vaccines against the pandemic, she advocated for international solidarity towards a global and coordinated effort to ensure access to vaccines for all who need them. 

31.She underlined the relevance of the African Union’s theme for the year 2021, stating that artistic and creative expression is part of freedom of expression and must be protected from any form of pressure, intimidation or censorship, including during the current pandemic. She also stressed that the right to participate in cultural life without discrimination and to artistic and scientific freedoms are guaranteed by international law, and that the neglect, damage, falsification and destruction of cultural heritage, especially in times of crisis, affect human rights. 

32.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also mentioned the work of the Second NHRI Forum and the NGO Forum as important in the reflections on the objectives of the African Union’s 2021 theme; the respective themes of these two events are highly illustrative in this regard.

33.Ms. Michelle Bachelet concluded her remarks by congratulating the Commission and reaffirming the availability of her Office for any form of collaboration.

34.Honourable Joseph Ndayisenga began his address by reaffirming the complementarity of the three human rights bodies, including the need for collaboration to ensure implementation of their decisions by Member States of the African Union. 

35.Regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rights of the Child in particular, he stated that child abuse and neglect have worsened during the period to the extent that the various measures adopted to curb the spread of the virus have been, and still are, more detrimental to children than to any other segment of the population. He indicated that the Committee has developed Guiding Notes for States on measures to be taken to mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on children and ensure that all measures are tailored to the needs of children. The Committee is currently in the process of preparing a continent-wide study on the impact of Covid-19 on the rights and welfare of children in Africa. The study will also assess the impact of the pandemic on achieving the aspirations of the 2040 Agenda for the Rights of the Child in Africa.

36.He further informed the participants that the Committee, in collaboration with the Commission, intends to prepare a General Comment on Article 21 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child this year in a bid to provide all Member States of the African Union with guidance on the implementation of the various provisions of their legal instruments. 

37.He reminded the assembly that the Committee has developed guidelines for granting affiliate status to National Human Rights Institutions and is awaiting to receive the first applications. 

38.He announced that four Working Groups have been established to contribute to the work of the Committee in collaboration with the relevant Special Mechanisms of the Commission.  

39.Furthermore, he informed the assembly that the Secretariat of the Committee has relocated and now operates from Maseru in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

40.The Chairperson of the Committee concluded his address by urging the five (5) States that are yet to ratify the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to do so, and those that have made reservations to withdraw them and thus ensure that all children in Africa benefit from the full and complete protection of the Charter.

41.Honourable Justice Sylvain Oré, President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights began his statement by commending the efforts made by the Commission in the implementation of its programmes and projects despite the multiple restrictions due to the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, during which human rights are being sorely tested. 

42.In light of these numerous challenges, the role of institutions or organs in charge of the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights has never been more crucial. In this regard, he underscored the importance of cooperation and close collaboration between States, African Union organs with a human rights mandate, Non-Governmental Organisations and National Human Rights Institutions because the effectiveness of strategies and mechanisms to be implemented depends on this synergy of actions.

43.He further stated that the African Court will seize the opportunity afforded by the commemoration of its Fifteenth anniversary this year and the adoption of its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan to embark on a vast programme aimed at consolidating its actions. 

44.He also called on the Court and the Commission to spare no effort in strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of their relationship of complementarity. According to him, this call for complementarity reflects the aspirations of thousands of citizens who wish to take advantage of the provisions of the Protocol so as to bring cases before the Court against States which have not made the declaration accepting the competence of the Court to hear cases filed directly by individuals and NGOs. 

45.He concluded his address by insisting on this much-needed solidarity between these two organs.

46.In his statement on behalf of the Member States of the African Union, His Excellency Dr Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia highlighted the positive results achieved by African States in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in spite of the enormous challenges, including the scarcity of financial resources. However, the issue of access to vaccines and treatment is a real problem for Africa.

47.He stated that despite the persisting challenges faced by States Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Charter and other relevant instruments, as outlined by the 67th Ordinary Session, States Parties are steadfast in their commitment to promote and protect human rights in collaboration with the Commission. The Minister reminded the participants of these challenges which include: High rise of unemployment and lower living standards leading to increase in extreme poverty and starvation; Increase in violent armed conflicts and socio-political and governance crises; Continued prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence; Continued unlawful use of the armed and security forces in violating human and peoples’ rights in all aspects and forms; and Prevalence of corruption and poor governance systems.

48.He took the opportunity to commend the Commission for its guidance and recommendations to States Parties. In this regard, he reiterated the willingness to satisfactorily implement the recommendations and decisions of the Commission and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in close consultation and collaboration with these two organs.

49.With regard to human rights issues in his country, The Gambia, the Minister provided an update on the management of the pandemic and indicated that the COVID-19 vaccination programme is effectively underway. He cited the progress made in terms of the transitional justice process, the legal reforms that should considerably improve the human rights situation in the country, including the Constitutional review and the operationalisation of the National Human Rights Commission.

50.In conclusion, he expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the States Parties to all the Commissioners and other members of the Commission for their tireless and invaluable efforts in advancing human and peoples’ rights across the African continent, with the ultimate goal of creating a just, developed and peaceful environment for all.

51.In his opening address, Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso began by pointing out that the 68th Session coincided with the commemoration of 27 years since the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, and he took the opportunity to pay respect to those who were killed and express solidarity with the survivors. He also expressed hope that the lesson learned from this tragedy will compel the vigilance and mobilisation of all against any action that could lead to the recurrence of such atrocities. 

52.Honourable Commissioner Dersso then went on to address the health situation on the continent. He stated that the situation is becoming increasingly alarming, as the continent begins to face more contagious and harder to detect strains of the virus, in an already fragile health care system. He underscored that, while the impact of the pandemic on the right to health is quite clear, it also has ramifications for other human rights. In this regard, he listed some of the socio-economic effects of the health crisis on the lives of people, and pointed to the fact that the pandemic has exacerbated already existing inequalities and disproportionately affected vulnerable groups. 

53.He thus took the opportunity to call on States to respect the principles and values espoused in Resolution 449 of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights which serve as a fundamental pillar for a successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery from its socio-political impacts. The Resolution provides comprehensive standards and principles on how States should ensure that their responses to the pandemic are guided by and respectful of the rights and freedoms enshrined in the African Charter. He placed emphasis on the issue of equitable access to the vaccine by African countries and the need to take steps to ensure that production and distribution of the vaccine takes place on the continent. 

54.With regard to violence on the continent, Commissioner Dersso pointed out that the Commission has received reports on human rights situations of concern, including terrorist attacks in the Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique as well as situations of violence in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan and Sudan and other human rights violations throughout the continent. 

55.Honourable Commissioner Dersso highlighted the positive human rights developments that have taken place on the continent during the intersessional period. In this regard, he welcomed the decision of the Republic of South Sudan to establish a transitional justice institution, the peace process in the State of Libya, and the decision of the Republic of Kenya to grant citizenship to members of the Shona community and stateless persons of Rwandan origin. He also congratulated the Republic of Niger for its first peaceful transfer of power and for strongly condemning the coup attempt, and the Republics of Djibouti, Benin and Chad for holding peaceful elections. The peaceful transfer of power in Tanzania and the establishment and operationalisation of the National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia were also commended.

56.Recalling that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Charter, Commissioner Dersso called on States Parties, the African Court, the African Committee of Experts, NHRIs and CSOs to use this 40th anniversary as an opportunity for organising events in order to draw attention to the steps that should be taken to bridge the gap between the promises of the African Charter and the actual realities of the peoples of our continent.

57.After explaining the rationale behind the African Union’s theme of the year, Commissioner Dersso urged Africans to join the call and fight for the promotion and restoration of the right of Africans to access and enjoy their cultural and historical heritage. 

58.Before declaring open the 68th Ordinary Session, he commended CSOs for convening the NGO Forum and NHRIs for holding the 2nd Forum of NHRIs on participation in the work of the Commission, and invited delegates from States, CSOs and NHRIs to actively participate in the deliberations for the success of this Session.

59.A total of four hundred and fifty-four (454) delegates attended the Session, including: seventy-two (72) representing fifteen (15) States Parties; six (6) representing AU Organs; forty-four (44) representing NHRIs; four (4) representing international and intergovernmental organisations; one hundred and ninety-six (196) representing African and international NGOs; and thirty-eight (38) representing other observers, two (2) of whom were from the media.

60.Representatives of the following eight (8) States Parties made statements on the human rights situation in their respective countries, namely: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Republic of Angola, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Eritrea, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Malawi, United Republic of Tanzania, and Republic of Mozambique.

61.Representatives of seven (7) NHRIs made statements on the human rights situation in their respective countries, namely: Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali, Rwanda, Sahrawi, and Zambia.

62.One (1) international organisation, the International Committee of the Red Cross, made a statement on the human rights situation in Africa.

63.Twenty-nine (29) NGOs that have Observer Status with the Commission made statements on the human rights situation in Africa.

64.Algeria and Burundi exercised their right of reply.

65.The Commission launched the following documents:
i.9th Newsletter of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa; and
ii.Guidelines on the Right to Water in Africa and drafting of General Comments on the role of non-State actors in the delivery of social services.

66.Several panel discussions on various themes were organised during the Session with a view to strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights on the continent. These included:
i.Panel on the drafting of the proposed General Comment on Article 23 of the African Charter;
ii.Joint Panel on Violence against Women in Vulnerable Situations;
iii.Panel on Abuses against Migrants: The Addis Ababa Roadmap;
iv.Panel on Human Rights Aspects of Arts, Culture and Heritage; and
v.Panel on Human Rights Defenders and Reprisals in Africa.

67.The Commission reported on the status of its relationship and cooperation with NHRIs and NGOs, and provided an update on the status of submission of activity reports by NHRIs and NGOs.

68.Since the adoption of its Resolution on the Granting of Affiliate Status to NHRIs and specialised human rights institutions in Africa, the Commission has granted thirty (30) affiliate statuses to NHRIs and specialised institutions. Given that no application for affiliate status was received for consideration at this Session, these statistics remain unchanged.

69.In accordance with its Resolution on the Criteria for Granting and Maintaining Observer Status to Human Rights NGOs in Africa, the Commission granted Observer Status to seven (7) NGOs, namely:
i.SOS Information Juridique Multisectorielle (SOS IJM);
ii.Plataforma Mulheres em Acão (PMA);
iii.Associacao Observatorio de Politicas Publicas da Perspective de Genero (ASSOGE);
iv.Akina Mama wa Afrika;
v.Association of Egyptian Female Lawyers (AEFL);
vi.Association des Utilisateurs des Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication (ASUTIC); and
vii.Changement Social Benin (CSB).
 
70.This brings the total number of NGOs, which have Observer Status with the Commission, to five hundred and thirty-five (535).

71.The Commission provided an update on the status of submission of Periodic Reports by States Parties.

72.In accordance with Article 62 of the African Charter, the Commission considered the Periodic Reports of the following States Parties:
i.The Second and Third Combined Periodic Reports of the Republic of Malawi under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Second Report under the Protocol of the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol); and
ii.The Fifteenth Periodic Report of the Republic of Niger under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

73.The following members of the Commission presented their intersession reports highlighting the activities undertaken in their capacity as Commissioners, Commissioner Rapporteurs and mandate holders of Special Mechanisms:
i.The Chairperson reporting on his activities as Chairperson of the Commission and of the Bureau;
ii.The Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa;
iii.The Vice-Chairperson of the Commission and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa;
iv.The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa;
v.The Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally-Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa;
vi.The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa;
vii.The Chairperson of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa;
viii.The Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa;
ix.The Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa;
x.The 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;
xi.The Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa;
xii.The Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa;
xiii.The Chairperson of the Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa; and
xiv.The Chairperson of the Working Group on Communications.

74.Presentation of these Reports generated reactions, contributions and questions from State Delegates and Civil Society Organisations.

75.During its private Session, the Commission considered and adopted the following documents, after amendment:
i.Report of the Promotion Mission to Botswana;
ii.Concluding Observations on the Periodic Report of the Kingdom of Lesotho; and
iii.Report of the Working Group on Communications.

76.The Commission considered the following reports:
i.Report on Follow-up Actions from the 67th Ordinary Session, 30th Extraordinary Session and 31st Extraordinary Session;
ii.Update on Status of Finalisation of Promotion Mission Reports and Concluding Observations;
iii.Report of the Secretary to the Commission;
iv.Report on the Audit of Communications; and
v.Report of the Chairperson of the ACBSM.

77.The Commission discussed the fact-finding mission to the Tigray Region in Ethiopia and provided the Secretariat with guidance for the effective conduct of this activity, subject to the formal authorisation of the Ethiopian Government which is still pending.

78.The Commission considered five (5) Communications as follows:
i.Two (2) Communications on the Merits, out of which the Commission adopted a decision on one; and   
ii.Three (3) Communications on Admissibility, of which two (2) were declared admissible and one (1) inadmissible.                    

79.The Commission also identified Communications for which decisions on the Merits and on Admissibility are currently being drafted for consideration at the 32nd Extraordinary Session and 69th Ordinary Session.

80.The Commission adopted the following six (6) Resolutions:
i.Resolution on the conduct of a study on the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples/Communities in Africa;
ii.Resolution on military instability in northern Mozambique;
iii.Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in Niger; 
iv.Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in Benin;
v.Resolution on the reassignment of Country Rapporteur and Special Mechanism mandates among the Commissioners; and
vi.Resolution on the need for a study on African responses to migration and the protection of migrants in a bid to develop guidelines on the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

81.The Commission considered and adopted its 50th Activity Report. 

82.The Commission decided to hold its 32nd Extraordinary Session virtually from 12 to 26 July 2021.  Details of the next Ordinary Session will be made available on the Commission’s website in due course.

83.The Commission expresses its sincere gratitude to States Parties, international organisations, NHRIs, NGOs and all stakeholders who participated in this third virtual Ordinary Session.

84.The Closing Ceremony of the 68th Ordinary Session took place virtually on 4 May 2021.

Done on 4 May 2021