By Kebba AF Touray
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) is scheduled to hold its 81st ordinary session, starting from 17 October to 6 November 2024.
During the session, the commission indicated that it would focus on session activities such as Human Rights Situations in Africa, as well as a colloquium on economic social, and cultural rights in the region.
The regional commission made these disclosures in a release issued on Wednesday, 9 October 2024, which session as alluded to by the commission will be held in person, in the Gambia.
“The Commission will focus on the session activities, such as Human Rights Situation in Africa, joint Commemoration of the Africa Human Rights Day and colloquium on Economic Social and Cultural Rights in Africa,” ACHPR disclosed.
The regional human rights commission explained that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), is the premier human rights body of the African Union, established under Article 30 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), the founding treaty of the African Human Rights system, for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa.
“The ACHPR is an autonomous treaty body of the African Union and is composed of eleven (11) Commissioners according to Article 31 of the African Charter, who are elected by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The Commissioners sit in their capacity and independently and impartially,” indicated ACHPR.
It outlined that its mandate is defined in Article 45 of the African Charter and includes, the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights on the continent, and the interpretation of any provision of the African Charter, at the request of a State Party, an OAU institution or an African Organization recognized by the African Union.
The commission added that the mandate also includes the formulation of principles and rules on fundamental freedoms on which African governments can base their legislation.
It also revealed that the ACHPR meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra Ordinary Sessions. Since its inception, the ACHPR has held eighty (80) Ordinary Sessions and thirty-seven (37) Extraordinary Sessions.
The commission is also expected to consider State Party Reports and hold discussions on the partnership and cooperation between the ACHPR with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
“The commission is also expected to consider Applications for Observer Status from NGOs, activity reports of commissioners, panel discussions, consideration of communications, consideration of concluding observations, and consideration of reports and other documents,” said ACHPR in the release.
