The outgoing Chairperson of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), Honourable Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki has praised the positive gains made in the democratic process in a number of ACHPR State Parties, but concerned about the human rights situation on the continent. The resurgence of conflict, terrorism, unconstitutional changes of government, gross violations of human rights and impunity has eroded some of these gains.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 54th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, on the 22nd October 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia, Atoki recalled recent events of concern, including the death of hundreds of African migrants near Lampedusa, the terrorist attacks at the Westgate mall in Kenya, the killing of school children by Boko Haram in Nigeria, and various acts of violence in Libya.

Before the commencement of the Ordinary Session, the annual event started on 18th October 2013 with the 28th African Human Rights Book Fair and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) NGOs Forum which usually plays host to not less than 250 Non-governmental Organizations.

The Forum, which had Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) playing a major role in it programme, is a platform for NGOs to deliberate on the situation of Human Rights in Africa under various subject areas, such as: Sub-regional updates on the situation of democracy and human rights in Africa; Pre trial Justice and the Rights of Children of Incarcerated Persons; The Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa; The Implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (OPCAT) in Africa for a new international partnership; Analysis of the achievements of the AU protocol on women’s Rights; Protection of the rights to free expression, privacy for journalists and Human Rights Defenders; The Role of the ACHPR in the fight against impunity; The impact of extractive industries on the development rights of communities in Africa; among several others.

Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), an NGO interested in the rehabilitation and welfare of prisoners, ex-prisoners, youth at risk and social development, advocated for the rights of prison inmates children and participated in the Forum’s special interest group discussion on Prisons and Places of detention in Africa. The forum came to a close on the 20th of October 2013, not after members have concluded their resolutions and recommendations on various African human rights issues which were subsequently submitted at the Ordinary Session of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).

During the opening ceremony of ACHPR, Ms. Hannah Foster, on behalf of the NGO Forum Steering Committee, observed that during the NGO Forum, participants applauded the efforts and positive development in the human rights and democracy situation in Africa, as exemplified by the conduct of successful elections in a number of African countries, including Mali. However, Africa needs to strive harder to continue the fight against the challenges of insecurity, violence, poverty, disease, unemployment, corruption, arbitrary detention and extra-judicial killings, rise in terrorist attacks and many other human rights violations that bring nothing but hardship and even death to the citizenry of the concerned countries.

On behalf of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, Mr. Gilbert Sebihogo emphasized that the realization of universal welfare requires an effective national human rights protective mechanism. Based on this, he called on the Commission to join forces with other stakeholders with a view to strengthening African National Human Rights Institutions to undertake their mandate with the rigorous approach required.

In its presentation, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), noted that human rights, development, peace and security, remain the core pillars within the United Nations system in the pursuit of a peaceful, prosperous and just world. The OHCHR observed that its decade long cooperation with the ACHPR has been further strengthened by the signing of the Addis Ababa Road map, between the special procedures and mandate holders of the Human Rights Council and the Commission. The presentation was concluded with a promise of continued support of the African human rights mechanisms in the implementation, protection and promotion of human rights standards.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission, Dr. Salah Hammad, noted the African Union’s appreciation of the Commission’s diligence and efforts towards enhancing the effectiveness of the African human rights system, and further called on the Commission to take responsibility for deciding the theme for the annual events held to commemorate Africa Human Rights Day. Speaking on behalf of African Union Members States, H.E. Madam Julie P. Somda-Nigna, Minister for Human Rights and Civic Protection of the Republic of Burkina Faso, recalled that the ordinary sessions of the Commission provided an ideal framework for reflection to better respond to the aspirations of the African people for a better Africa, where human rights are well protected and considered in national policies and strategies. She further welcomed the increasing involvement of Africans in resolving the many crisis and conflicts that affect the continent. The Honorable Minister welcomed the invaluable contribution of human rights defenders in awakening the consciousness of Africans and noted in particular, the role of human rights defenders, which she observed was crucial to the safeguard of peace and security, as well as in the process of democratization.

The representative of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Honorable Justice Kimelabalou Aba, lauded the Commission’s efforts in promoting the African Court through its interaction with State Parties. He noted that this is concrete proof of the Commission’s determination to see the Court succeed in its mission. The Honorable Justice outlined the activities that the Commission and Court have jointly undertaken to give effect to their complementary relationship and used the occasion to call on Member States of the African Union which have not yet done so, to take all necessary measures to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and to make the Declaration allowing individuals and NGOs to bring cases before the Court.

Honorable Justice Mama Fatima Singateh, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia, stated that in spite of gains in the field of human rights, acts of terrorism and wars continued to disrupt the lives of Africans, and to that end reiterated the support of the Government of The Gambia to the African Union and its organs, in the efforts to end conflicts which persist on the continent. He advise African citizens to enjoy their rights, and not feel compelled to embark on perilous journeys in the search for better lives on other continents.
Justice Singateh was impress with the efforts of the African Commission to fulfill its mandate in spite of constraints, thanked all stakeholders who have contributed to the effective promotion and protection of human rights.
State Parties and Organizations were given an opportunity to make statements relating to the human rights situation in various African countries. Eleven (11) NGOs were also granted observer status within the Commission. They are: The Human Rights Centre Uganda; PINGO’s Forum; Women’s Legal Centre; The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Sustainable Development Institute; Prison Fellowship Nigeria; Natural Justice; Avocats Sans Frontières; Ngo Playdoo; Bureau International Catholique de l’Enfance; and Association burundaise pour la protection des Droits humains et des personnes détenues.

Other activities carried out during the public session of the 54th session of the African Commission on Human Right and People’s Rights (ACHPR) includes: the consideration of the Periodic Reports of the Republics of Gabon and Cameroon, as well as the presentation on the activities of the various commissioners of the ACHPR within the framework of their Special Mechanisms.

Honorable Commissioner Catherine Dupe Atoki, during her opening address, added that the Commission under her leadership had sought to reinvent itself through a review of its working methods and highlighted the Commission’s consistent engagement with its partners, including NHRIs, NGOs, the African Court and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. She thanked the Members of the Commission, in addition to all partners who assisted the Commission during her tenure.

Also, Honorable Commissioners of the ACHPR who were either elected or re-elected at the 21st Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union took their oaths of office. They are: Honorable Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, Honorable Commissioner Soyata Maiga, Honorable Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor, and Honorable Commissioner Lawrence Murugu Mute.

Further in accordance with Article 42 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Rules 10 and 11 of its Rules of Procedure, a new Bureau of the Commission was elected on 22nd October 2013.

Honorable Commissioner Kayitesi Zainabo Sylvie was elected as the new Chairperson, while Honorable Commissioner Mohamed Béchir Khalfallah was elected Vice-Chairperson. The Bureau will serve for a term of two years in line with Rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure.

The 54th Session of the African Commission on Human Right and People’s Rights (ACHPR) ended on the 5th November 2013.