INTER-SESSION ACTIVITY REPORT OF HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER MUDFORD ZACHARIAH MWANDENGA
As
Member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Vice Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities;
&
Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural (ECOSOC) Rights
Presented at the
77th Ordinary Session
20 October- 9 November 2023
Arusha, Tanzania
TABLE OF CONTENT
Contents
SECTION I – INTRODUCTION 3
SECTION II – INTER-SESSION ACTIVITIES 4
Part I: Activities Undertaken In My Capacity As A Member Of The Commission & Country Rapporteur……………………………………………………………………..4
Part II: Activities Undertaken In My Capacity As The Vice Chairperson Of The Working Group on The Rights of Older persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa………………………………………………………………………………………....5
Part III: Activities Undertaken In My Capacity As The Chairperson Of The Working Group on Economic, Social And Cultural (Ecosoc) Rights In Africa........................................................................................................................................6
SECTION III - SITUATION ANALYSIS OF ECOSOC RIGHTS ON THE CONTINENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 9
Part I: Situation Analysis of Ecosoc Rights on the Continent 9
Part II: Opportunities seized by the workign group on Ecosoc 13
Part III: Conclusion & Recommendations 14
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SECTION I – INTRODUCTION
1.This Report is submitted in accordance with Rules 25(3) and 64 of the Rules of Procedure 2020, of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) and covers the activities undertaken during the inter-session period between the 75th and 77th Ordinary Sessions of the Commission.
2.The Report covers activities I undertook as a Member of the Commission, as Country Rapporteur responsible for monitoring human rights situation in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda; as Vice Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa and as Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa.
3.The Report is divided into three (3) sections as follows:
(a)Section I: Introduction
(b)Section II:
-Part I - Activities undertaken in my capacity as a Member of the Commission and Country Rapporteur Monitoring Human Rights situation in my countries of responsibility;
Part II – Activities undertaken in my capacity as Vice Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities;
-Part III – Activities undertaken in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa.
(c)Section III:
-Part I – Situation analysis of ECOSOC Rights on the Continent; and
-PART II: Opportunities seized by the Working Group on ECOSOC
-Part II - Conclusion and Recommendations.
SECTION II – INTER-SESSION ACTIVITIES
Part I: Activities Undertaken In My Capacity As A Member Of The Commission & Country Rapporteur
A.Ordinary Sessions of the Commission
75th Ordinary Session
4.From 3rd to 23rd May 2023, I participated in the 75th Ordinary Session of the Commission, held in Banjul, The Gambia, wherein I contributed to the Commission’s interaction with stakeholders on urgent human rights issues on the Continent. I also held briefs with delegates and representatives of human national human rights institutions and non-governmental organization on the human rights situation in the countries I cover. Furthermore, I participated in consideration and adoption of decisions on Communications and Resolutions, examination of Periodic State Reports pursuant to Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter), and review of other documents adopted by the Commission.
76th Ordinary Session
5.On 19th July to 2nd August 2023, I participated in the 76th Ordinary Session of the Commission, held virtually, which discussed and adopted Mid-Term Evaluation of the ACHPR 2021-2025 Strategic Plan; consideration of Communications; Resolutions; Reports; other documents and matters arising from the Commission’s 75th Ordinary Session.
B.Country Monitoring:
6.In accordance with the Commission’s mandate under Article 45 of the Charter, the Commission has an important role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment in respect for the provisions of the Charter. In this regard, Members of the Commission have responsibility to monitor the situation of human rights in countries and address concerns as appropriate. In doing so, State Parties and other stakeholders are encouraged “to cooperate and consult the Country Rapporteurs of the Commission in the design, planning, implementation and review of Human Rights mandate in their country.”
7.In line with my mandate, I monitor the situation of human rights as Country Rapporteur in the following five (5) State Parties to the Charter, namely: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Republic of Liberia, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda.
8.During the intersession period therefore, I paid particular attention to the human rights situations in the respective countries.
Part II: Activities Undertaken In My Capacity As The Vice Chairperson Of The Working Group on The Rights of Older persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa
Webinar to raise awareness of Arabic-speaking Member States of the African Union on the Ratification of the two Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa
9.On 13 July 2023, I participated in the Webinar to raise awareness of Arabic-speaking Member States of the African Union on the Ratification of the two Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, held virtually. The meeting was organised by the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities.
10.The Webinar aimed to raise awareness among States Parties to the Charter and their relevant stakeholders of the urgent issue of the ratification of the Protocols on Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities, which could provide a specific framework for State intervention in various situations. This is a particularly relevant issue in an African context where, on the one hand, the percentage of these two categories of vulnerable people in the overall population continues to increase, while on the other hand, the difficulties they encounter and the violation of their rights is also increasing due to various factors, including the lack of specific and well-articulated legally binding frameworks.
11.The webinar was attended by Arabic-speaking Member States of the African Union, in particular their Ministries of Foreign Affairs, their technical Ministries in charge of matters pertaining to Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities and Parliamentarians.
Webinar to raise awareness of Francophone and Lusophone Member States of the African Union on the Ratification of the two Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa
12.On 3 October 2023, I also participated in the Webinar to raise awareness of Francophone and Lusophone Member States of the African Union on the Ratification of the two Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, held virtually. Under the same context as the earlier webinar mentioned above, it aimed to raise awareness among Francophone and Lusophone States Parties to the Charter and their relevant stakeholders of the urgent issue of the ratification of the Protocols on Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities, for, which could provide a specific framework for State intervention in various situations.
Part III: Activities Undertaken In My Capacity As The Chairperson Of The Working Group on Economic, Social And Cultural (Ecosoc) Rights In Africa
Promotion and Protection of ECOSOC Rights in Africa through:
A. Strategic Engagements during Sessions of the Commission
i.Activities during the 75th Ordinary Session
13.During the 75th Ordinary Session of the Commission, I presented a report which informed participants of the situation of ECOSOC rights in Africa, received interventions from interested Stakeholders and took note of matters requiring the attention of the Working Group. I also had meetings on the margins of the Session with partners and discussed possible areas of collaboration with the Working Group, to fulfil its mandate.
14.I also participated in the Panel Discussion on Leveraging Data for meaningful progress towards Economic, Social and Cultural Rights organised by the Working Group on ECOSOC Rights in Africa in collaboration with the Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net). The objective of the panel session was to discuss ways to realize states’ obligations regarding the production of ESCR data and its use in policy-making, as well as how the Commission can work with states in realizing them. I made a presentation on The Steps taken by the ACHPR to Strengthen States' Reporting and Address Gaps in Data related to ESCR.
15.Furthermore, I also participated in the Panel Discussion on Protection of the Social and Economic Rights of Refugees and Migrants at the National Level organised by the Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa. The Panel was organised to discuss the challenges in protecting the social and economic rights of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, and migrants in Africa, including policy bottlenecks, laws and regulations that need to be introduced or amended to facilitate refugees’ access to socio-economic opportunities, and monitor progress thereby improving policy coordination among States. During the panel discussion, I made a presentation on Challenges in Protecting the Social and Economic Rights of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants in Africa.
ii.Activities on the margins of the 77th Ordinary Session
16. On 16th October 2023, on the margins of the 77th Ordinary Session of the Commission, I participated at the Forum on the participation of the NGOs to the 77th Ordinary Session of the Commission (NGO Forum), which took place in Arusha, Tanzania. The objective of the NGO Forum was to foster closer collaboration among and between NGOs and the Commission to provide a discussion platform for organisations working on democracy and human rights issues in the continent, and promote networking amongst others.
17.I was a panellist on the Panel Discussion on Rights and Trade: Reflecting on UDHR’s 75th Anniversary and its Alignment with the Implementation of AfCFTA and the “African We Want”.
18.On 19th October 2023, I participated in the 6th NHRIs Forum on the margins of the 77th Ordinary Session of the Commission, organised by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI). The NHRIs Forum was convened on the theme “the 30th Anniversary of the Paris Principles & the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol: Amplifying the Role of NHRIs in the Protection of the Rights of Women and other Vulnerable Groups in Africa” and took place from 18 to 19 October 2023, in Arusha, Tanzania.
19.I delivered a keynote address during the launch of the “NANHRI-DIHR Study on Advancing the Right to Social Security in Africa: State of Implementation and Guidance to National Human Rights Institutions”. I also delivered closing remarks at the close of “Parallel Session B on the Status of Social Protection and Social Security Rights for Women and other vulnerable Groups in Africa”.
20.From 21st to 22nd October 2023, I participated in the Validation Meeting on the Study on the Impact of the Climate on Human and Peoples Rights in Africa, organised jointly by the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa, and the Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, of the Commission in Arusha, Tanzania.
21.The objective of the Validation Meeting was to review the preliminary draft report of the Study to ensure that the report aligns with the agreed scope, outline and methodology as conceived at the Inception Meeting and also incorporates other elements necessitated by recent developments related to the global discourse on climate change and human rights. the meeting also agreed on the final contents of the Report to be presented for a wider stakeholders’ consultation. Upon the completion of the wider stakeholders’ consultation, the report would be updated and presented to the Commission for adoption, at which point it will become a soft law reference material and knowledge product of/for the Commission.
22.The Validation Meeting was attended by Honourable Commissioners, Experts Members of the two Working Groups, Members of other Special Mechanisms dealing with thematic issues most affected by climate change, selected Independent Experts and Staff of the Secretariat.
B.Strategic Engagements with Partners during the Intersessions of the Commission
Joint Webinar on Informal Economy Work and the Right to Work in Africa
23.On 30th May 2023, I participated in the Joint Webinar on Informal Economy Work and the Right to Work in Africa, held virtually. The Joint Webinar was organised by the Working Group on ECOSOC Rights in Africa in collaboration with Solidarity Centre. The overall objective of the Webinar was to investigate the cause and consequences of in-formal economic work, in light of the respect, protection and realization of human and peoples’ rights on the African continent, and suggest solutions, with the aim to streamline these considerations within the work of the Commission.
24.The webinar explored the consequence of widespread non-recognition of worker rights for the majority of workers in the African context, especially marginalized and vulnerable groups like women and children, who remain excluded from collective labour rights, the rights to non-discrimination at work, to work in just and favorable conditions and to social protection. The webinar also considered recent advances in both legislation and case law at the national and regional level on workers in the informal economy, and discuss a way forward within the African Human Rights instruments and institutions.
25.The Webinar participants comprised of Members the Working group on ECOSOC; members of other Special Mechanisms dealing with thematic issues most affected by informal economy work, representatives of States parties to the African Charter, representatives of National Human Rights Institutions, the Solidarity Centre, selected independent experts and staff of the ACHPR Secretariat.
Continental Workshop on the Status of Indigenous Populations/Communities
26.From 25th to 26th August 2023, I attended a virtual Continental Workshop on the Status of Indigenous Populations/Communities organized by the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission). The overall objective was inter alia to map out the indigenous communities on the Continent as well as unpacking the knowledge embedded in their ecosystems in general and particularly their indigenous knowledge, cultural and traditional practices, art, music, production systems, traditional leadership, environmental resilience and livelihoods and to unleash their potential, empower them and create development opportunities.
Regional Conference on Reclaiming Public Services in Africa Regional Conference the Africa We Want: Reclaiming Public Services in Africa
27.From 29th to 30th August 2023, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda, I was invited by the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) and the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) to attend “The Africa We Want: Reclaiming Public Services in Africa Regional Conference”. I made a presentation on “Decoding the Blueprint -General Comment No.7 on the State Obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights”.
Panel discussion held virtually on “Addressing Human Rights and Environmental Concerns in the context of conflict; the case of Extractive Industries
28.On 7th September 2023, I participated in a Panel discussion held virtually on “Addressing Human Rights and Environmental Concerns in the context of conflict; the case of Extractive Industries.” This panel discussion was but one of the discussions that took place during the African Business Forum from 5th to 7th September, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized partly by the UNDP HQ.
Closed in-person Meeting between Experts from Regional and International Human Rights Systems
29.From 3rd to 4th October 2023, in Switzerland, Geneva, I was invited by the Global Initiative for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (GI- ESCR) together with other members of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the Commission to attend a closed in-person meeting between experts from regional and international human rights systems. The objective of the meeting was to bring together experts from African, Inter- American and UN human rights systems to discuss human rights approaches to social services and collectively explore the importance of adequate and sustainable financing of social services through progressive and fair fiscal policies. I made a presentation on “Introduction to the Mechanism and Mandate of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the Commission.”
SECTION III - SITUATION ANALYSIS OF ECOSOC RIGHTS ON THE CONTINENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Part I: Situation Analysis of Ecosoc Rights on the Continent
30.During the inter-session period, in my capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOSOC Rights in Africa, I monitored economic, social and cultural trends in State parties to the Charter. The following trends that may have huge impacts on the economies of States parties and affect the realization of ECOSOC rights on our continent, caught my attention:
Climate Change
31.During the commendable inaugural Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya from 4th to 6th September 2023, His Excellency, President William Ruto, stated that Africa is the continent with 60% of the continent’s renewable energy assets, including solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower[ African Development Bank Group. 6th September, 2023. https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/africa-climate-s…]. Despite the wealth of resources found in Africa and its negligible production of carbon emissions, Guterres mentioned that Africans have borne the brunt of the worst effects of climate change[ Op cit.]. In the words of Prof. Petteri Taalas, the Secretary-General of World Meteorological Organization, “Africa is responsible for less than 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. But it is the continent which is the least able to cope with the negative impacts of climate change. Heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, tropical cyclones, and prolonged droughts are having devastating impacts on communities and economies, with increasing numbers of people at risk.[ Relief Web. 4th September, 2023. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/africa-suffers-disproportionately-cl…]”
32.The consequence of these negative impacts can be seen in some prevalent natural occurrences in the continent such as floods and earthquakes, which recently occurred in Libya and Morocco[ Cardier, A., Cox, A., Aranda, T. C., PBS News Hour. 12th September, 2023. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/thousands-dead-after-earthquake-and-f…
McGrath, B. S., Time for Kids. 15th September, 2023. https://www.timeforkids.com/g34/natural-disasters-north-africa-g3/?rl=e…
] respectively. The effects of these climatic and environmental shocks have more adverse effects on vulnerable groups such as children. An analysis performed by UNICEF shows that based on children’s exposure to climate and environmental shocks, such as cyclones and heatwaves, as well as their vulnerability to those shocks, based on their access to essential services, children living in the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Guinea, Somalia and Guinea-Bissau are the most at risk[ UNICEF. 1st September, 2023. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/children-98-cent-african-countrie…
BBC News. 7th September, 2023. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66733557
Africa News. 1st September, 2023. https://www.africanews.com/2023/09/01/unicef-children-in-africa-are-amo…].
33.The participation of States Parties at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit is noteworthy and the initiative of His Excellency, President Ruto of Kenya is applauded. The summit highlighted the adverse effects Africa faces due to the carbon emissions produced by all continents despite its negligible contributions and called on those who produce and emit higher levels of greenhouse gases to accord Africa with some compensation.
Mental Health
34.World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”[ World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/major-themes/health-and-well-being ]. They further state that mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders; it is an integral part of health – there is no health without mental health; mental health is determined by a range of socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors; and cost-effective public health and intersectoral strategies and interventions exist to promote, protect and restore mental health. It is on this premise that I call upon all States Parties to legislate and implement laws which would be beneficial to the mental health and holistic well-being of persons. The amount spent on mental wellness in Africa is an indication that there is a dearth of cost-effective public health strategies and interventions. States Parties are enjoined to make mental health a priority in all sectors including workplaces, schools and homes[ Brandit K. Eyewitness News. 5th July, 2023. https://ewn.co.za/2023/07/05/workplace-mental-health-issues-costing-sa-…
University of Cape Town News. 8th June, 2023. https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2023-06-08-redress-mental-healthcar…;
Education
35.Noting that education is a right enshrined in the Charter, States Parties are urged to ensure the enjoyment of the right to education for all. Due to armed conflict and levels of insecurity prevalent in Central Sahel, Lake Chad Basin and Democratic Republic of Congo, schools have been forced to shut down. In Burkina Faso for instance, approximately one quarter of the schools have been closed due to insecurity[ Relief Web. 15th August, 2023. https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/west-and-central-africa-education…;
Ahmed K. The Guardian. 14th September, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/14/quarter-of-s…;
]. However, some initiatives taken by States are commendable in which some states have partnered with other organisations to improve their educational levels. Nigeria for instance has partnered with The World Bank to scale up the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) program[ Relief Web. 22nd September, 2023. https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/nigeria-expand-adolescent-girls-ed…
The World Bank. 21st September, 2023. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/09/22/nigeria-to-e…;
Ileyemi, M. Premium Times. 22nd Septmber, 2023. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/627662-world-bank-gives-ad… ].
36.It is important to recall General Comment 7 on State Obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the context of private provision of Social Services, which expatiates the duties and obligations of States Parties on the provision of social services, including education. While it is commendable that private actors assist states in providing and improving quality education, it remains the duty of the State to do. As such, States Parties should adhere to their obligations under article 17 of the Charter.
Employment
37.According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), unemployment rate in North Africa is estimated to be 11.2 percent[ Hale, E. Aljazeera. 1st June, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/6/1/africa-middle-east-driving-g… ]. The rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be at 6.3 percent[ Rfi. 4th June, 2023. https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20230604-global-employment-gap-grow… ]. The unemployment rate increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the staggering figures are because even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 Virus, the rate of unemployment in Africa was low. Africa is still recovering from the pandemic as the rate of people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has remained on the increase. The statistics has been higher for women and persons with disabilities, except in Rwanda where young women in rural areas have found means of income generation[ Niall O’Higgins, ILO Webminar held on the 29th June, 2023. https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1r/k1rm88i6li
]. In Ethiopia however, the NEET rates are almost three times higher with women than with men[ Niall O’Higgins. ILO Webminar held on the 29th June, 2023. https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1r/k1rm88i6li]. States Parties are called on to formulate policies and opportunities which create employment opportunities with no discrimination against vulnerable groups such as women and persons living with disabilities.
38.Based on a research carried out with data from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda, it was discovered that economic growth is at higher rates in Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia than in the Sub-Saharan countries (Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal)[ Op cit.]. States Parties in the Sub-Saharan region are called upon to prioritize economic growth in a bid to improve the economic wellbeing of persons living within their territories.
PART II: Opportunities seized by the Working Group
39.In view of the above concerns raised, the Working Group is already engaging with partners in discussions on practical steps towards protection of ECOSOC rights as enshrined in the Charter. The Working Group has also placed advocacy with States parties and relevant partners, on the concerns raised, on its priority list.
40.For instance, ACHPR/Res. 446 (LXVI) 2020 mandated the Working Group to conduct a Joint Study on the Right to Health and its Financing in Africa in collaboration with UNAIDS. The “draft Study is being finalised for adoption by the Commission and its publication thereafter.
41.I utilised opportunities given by my engagements mentioned in the present report, as Chairperson of the Working Group, to advocate and participate in discourses that would popularise the newly adopted subsidiary human rights instruments - the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security and the General Comment 7 on State Obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the Context of Private Provision of Social Services.
42.The Working Group on ECOSOC Rights and the Working Group on Extractive Industries were also mandated by the Commission to undertake a study on climate change and human rights pursuant to resolution ACHPR/Res. 342(LVIII) 2016. The draft Study was developed and a validation meeting was held on the margins of the present session, to review the preliminary draft Study to be presented for a wider stakeholders’ consultation. Upon the completion of the wider stakeholders’ consultation, the report would be updated and presented to the Commission for adoption and publication thereafter.
43.Furthermore, pursuant to ACHPR/Res.561 (LXXV) 2023, the Working Group was tasked by the Commission, to work in collaboration with its partners to develop a Study on ‘Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and National Sustainable Development Processes in Africa’. The Working Group and its partners (DIHR& NANHRI) held a meeting on the margins of the present session on 17 October 2023, to strategies and develop the TOR for the Study and will soon commence the drafting process.
Part III: Conclusions & Recommendations
To States parties:
i.take legislative and other measures for the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights in accordance with the Charter;
ii.sign, ratify and domesticate the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Citizens to Social Protection and Social Security;
iii.develop social protection programmes that ensure that every citizen has equal access to adequate, affordable and quality health care;
iv.regulate activities of non-state actors/private actors that provide socio- economic related services;
v.create employment opportunities in particular for the youth and invest in women and the youth;
vi.ensure access to housing and shelter by all including the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society;
vii.ensure access to education for all, at every level of the education system;
viii.reform healthcare systems and provide access to health care including adequate and effective healthcare facilities and services for all;
ix.take measures and put in place access to water, sanitation and other basic health care necessities, as conditions for safeguarding health and life of the public;
x.take measures to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to food including quality food that meets the requirement of nutrition standards;
xi.develop action plans towards preventing and combating the negative consequences of climate change;
xii.enact policies that will discourage deforestation and forest degradations, reduce emissions that impact on health, and bring agricultural reforms that will result in increased food production;
xiii.ensure all national development plans including monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of such plans, are human rights driven and take into account their obligations under the Charter, Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals;
xiv.make use of the Commission’s Principles and Guidelines on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, the State Reporting Guidelines for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the African Charter (the Tunis Reporting Guidelines); Declaration of the Pretoria Seminar on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa; the Guidelines on the Right to Water in Africa; General Comment No 7: State obligations under the African Charter and in the context of Private Provision of Social Services and other regional and international human rights norms; and
xv.authorize promotion missions by the Commission, in line with Article 45(1) of the Charter.
Civil Society Organisations and other partners:
i.Continue to collaborate and support advocacy efforts at the national, sub-regional and continental levels to implement economic, social and cultural rights; and
ii.Provide support to the Working Group on Economic Social and Cultural Rights in Africa, to enable it to effectively implement its mandate.
To all Stakeholders:
44.States parties, National Human Rights Institutions, Non-governmental organisations and all other partners in mobilising efforts and resources towards projects that will translate into enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the African countries where they operate.
CONCLUSION
45.I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to all the Members and Expert Members of the Working Group in the execution of our mandate. I would also like to extend profound appreciation to all our partners for the support and call for a continuous collaboration in promoting and protecting Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa.
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