INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: 40th Anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

WHEN: June 28, 2021 at 09:00 Hrs.–14:00 Hrs. (GMT)/ 11:00 Hrs.–16:00 Hrs. (CAT)/ 12:00 Hrs. – 17:00 Hrs. (EAT)

VENUE: Virtual on Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ohurjYPQ7Wsp2EmCMCLuA

WHO: Media Representatives

Journalists are therefore invited to participate. They may register through the following link:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ohurjYP-Q7Wsp2EmCMCLuA

BACKGROUND:

1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) will launch the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter, also commonly known as the Banjul Charter) adopted in Nairobi, Kenya on 27 June 1981 by the Assembly of Heads of State of the then Organization of African Unity (OAU).

2. The African Charter is the founding treaty of the African human rights system. It emerged from the vision of the OAU founding fathers to inspire the thinking of African States on the concept of promotion and protection of human and peoples' rights on the continent. It is equally iconic in its contribution to the corpus of international human rights in its recognition of the universality, interdependence and indivisibility of human rights, on one hand, and the juxtaposition of individual and collective rights, and duties, on the other hand.

3. The theme of the 40th anniversary will be: ”Realities of 40 years of implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the journey towards the Africa We Want”

INFORMATION NOTE

1. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (African Commission) 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), for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. The ACHPR is composed of eleven (11) Commissioners pursuant 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 personal capacity and in an independent and impartial manner.

2. By means of a Protocol to the African Charter, the African Union also established the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to complement the protection mandate of the African Commission. The African Court is composed of 11 Judges who are also elected by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

3. The mandate of the African Commission is defined in Article 45 of the African Charter and includes: the protection and promotion of human and peoples' rights on the continent; the interpretation of any provision of the African Charter, at the request of a State Party, an OAU/AU institution or an African Organization recognized by the African Union; and the formulation of principles and rules on fundamental freedoms on which African governments can base their legislation.

4. The event will be graced by some key personalities and stakeholders driving the human rights Agenda on the continent, including representatives of States who were instrumental to the drafting and adoption of the African Charter.

OBJECTIVE
The overall objective of this celebration is to shed light on human rights in Africa 40 years after the adoption of the African Charter, identifying main achievements, challenges and the way forward, particularly in the context of the African Union Agenda 2063 on “The Africa we want".

EXPECTED OUTCOME
The expected outcome of this celebration will be:

 Broader knowledge, ownership and use of the African Charter and the African human rights system;
 Concrete propositions for the reform of the African human rights system;
 Stakeholders, especially key actors, mobilized to commit to engaging in the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights on the continent.
 Awareness raised on the responsibilities of the States Parties, with a view to put in place legislative and other measures in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Journalists wishing to interview the Keynote Speaker at the Anniversary, should forward their inquiries to:

Ms. Anita Bagona
E-mail: BagonaA@africa-union.org

Journalists may also submit questions in advance on ACHPR website using the following link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ohurjYP-Q7Wsp2EmCMCLuA; they should indicate their full name and the name of their media organization. Questions may also be submitted on the Zoom Chat during the course of the conference.

NOTE FOR EDITORS:

Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at www.achpr.org

1. For more comments:
Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo, Ag. Secretary to the Commission
Tel: +220 4410 505 / 506 ; E-mail: Achpr.stcincoming@africa-union.org

2. For documentation and materials, please contact:
Mr. Eliot Nsega, E-mail: NsegaE@africa-union.org
au-banjul@africa-union.org

Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at www.achpr.org

3. For media interested in participating please contact:
Mr. Etwell Karikoga, E-mail: Karikogae@africa-union.org