71^st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

Convened in terms of Article 64 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, read together with Rules 27 and 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the ACHPR, 2020

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT:  71^st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)

WHEN: 21 April – 30 April, 2022 (Public Session) at 09:00 a.m (GMT) / 12:00 p.m (EAT) 11:00a.m (CAT) and 13 May 2022 from 9:00 am – 11:30 a.m.

VENUE: Virtual Session, Zoom Webinar

Zoom link Https://Zoom.Us/Webinar/Register/WN_qoJfD5veQM2QPW7Dyx6mzg                 

WHO: Media Representatives

Journalists are invited to participate in the Closing Session on 13 May 2022 and may submit questions in advance on ACHPR website using the following link:

Https://Zoom.Us/Webinar/Register/WN_qoJfD5veQM2QPW7Dyx6mzg

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 Session.       

INFORMATION NOTE:

1. 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.            
2. The ACHPR is an autonomous treaty body of the African Union, and 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.
3. The mandate of the ACHPR is defined in Article 45 of the African Charter and includes: the promotion and protection 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 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 ACHPR meets four times a year in Ordinary Session and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions. Since its inception, the ACHPR has held seventy (70) Ordinary Sessions and thirty-five (35) Extraordinary Sessions.
5. During the Public Session of the 71^st Ordinary Session, held virtually from 21 April to 30 May, 2022. The Commission deliberated on numerous human rights issues including: matters arising from statements from various stakeholders on the human rights situation in Africa, its relationship and cooperation with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Specialized Institutions, as well as with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and granted Observer Status to three (3) NGOs. The Commission also held Panel discussions on various human rights issues relating to Prevention of unconstitutional change of Government in Africa: Role of the ACHPR,   Sustainable Development and Human Rights in Africa an how to ensure accountability of States and Business Entities, Conditions of Prisons and Places of Detention in Africa, the Commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide, Ratification of the Protocols on Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, protection of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa in light of the Kampala Declaration of 1996 and the Ouagadougou Declaration And Action Plan 2002, the 10th Anniversary of the Addis Ababa Road Map, the Death Penalty and the Prevention of Torture, the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Africa, and Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa (WGIPM).            
6. In accordance with Article 62 of the African Charter, which requires States Parties to submit Periodic Reports to the ACHPR every two years, the Commission examined one (1) State Report namely: Kenya, Combined report of the 12th and 13th Periodic Reports, presented by its Delegation.
7. Thereafter, the ACHPR retreated into Private Sittings where it is deliberating and take decisions on various reports, and on registered complaints of human rights violations [Communications].

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. Elliot Nsega, E-mail: NsegaE@africa-union.org

au-banjul@africa-union.org

3. For media interested in participating, please contact: 

Mr.  Etwell Karikoga, E-mail: Karikogae@africa-union.org