The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) meeting at its 46 th Ordinary Session held from 11 – 25 November 2009, in Banjul, The Gambia;
Considering its mandate to promote human and peoples’ rights in Africa and to ensure their protection in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/69(XXXV) 04 of 4 June 2004 on the protection of human rights defenders in Africa adopted at the 35th Ordinary Session held from 21st May to 4th June 2004, in Banjul, The Gambia;
Bearing in mind its resolution 83(XXXVIII) 05 of 5 December 2005 on the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa; adopted at the 38th Ordinary Session held from 21st November to 5th December 2005 in Banjul, The Gambia;
Considering its Resolution ACHPR/Res.125 (XXXXII) 07 on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, adopted at its 42nd Ordinary Session held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo from 13 to 28 November 2007;
Bearing in mind that in the Grand Bay (Mauritius) Declaration and Plan of Action, the Organization of African Unity (African Union) called on Member States “to take appropriate steps to implement the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in Africa”;
Considering that the term of Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou as Special Rapporteur comes to an end on 5 December 2009;
Noting with appreciation the work and accomplishment of Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansouas Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa since her re-appointment in 2007;
Considering the end of the mandate report of the Special Rapperteur;
Emphasizing the importance of the work of the Special Rapporteur regarding the search for solutions to the problems arising from the protection of human rights defenders;
Considering the necessity to allow the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa to continue to carry out its mandate as contained in resolution ACHPR/69(XXXV)04;
Decides to appoint Commissioner Mohamed Bechir Khalfallah as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa for a period of two (2) years, with effect from 5th December 2009.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 25 November 2009.
