TECHNICAL MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE CLUSTER OF THE AFRICAN GOVERNANCE ARCHITECTURE ON THE ACTION PLAN OF THE HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS DECADE IN AFRICA:

Banjul, The Gambia, 22 February, 2017: The Department of Political Affairs, under the leadership of the Dr. Khabele Matlosa, Director of Political Affairs convened a three-day Technical Meeting the draft Action Plan for Human and peoples’ Rights decade in Africa. The meeting that was hosted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and held in Banjul, Gambia from 20-22 March 2017, provided a platform for the curation of input and perspectives of Members of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) Human Rights and Transitional Justice Cluster towards the finalization of the draft Action Plan. It was attended by Technical Heads and representatives of the African Court on Human and peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR); the ACHPR; the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC); the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM); the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC); the Pan African Parliament (PAP); and the African Union Commission on International Law. 

While opening the meeting, the Director for Political Affairs commended the collaboration and cooperation among the Members of the AGA Human Rights and Transitional Justice Cluster. He noted that this collaboration and cooperation is very critical in enhancing the effectiveness of the African Human Rights System. He specifically noted that the African Union (AU) has fully embraced its policy of non-indifference to gross human rights violation on the continent, thereby making it a true champion of human rights agenda in Africa. He called for strategic measures and initiatives aimed at accelerating the ratification, domestication and implementation of AU Shared Values instruments, including human rights instruments in order to facilitate respect for human rights, gender equality and youth empowerment in Africa.

On his part, Dr. Robert Eno, the Registrar of the African Court recalled the symbolic significance of holding the meeting in Banjul, The Gambia, where the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was born and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights housed. He also echoed the timeliness of the meeting which coincides with the enthronement of a new democratic government in the country. In line with this, Dr. Matlosa highlighted the following among others as possible areas of strategic support to and partnership with the new Government of the Republic of The Gambia by the African Union, transitional justice; national dialogue and reconciliation; public sector reform and security sector reform.

The draft Action Plan that was the subject of the meeting is in the context of the Declaration by the Assembly on the Theme of the Year 2016 (Assembly/AU/Decl.1(XXVII) in which the AU Heads of State and Government declared the next 10 years as “the Human and Peoples’ Rights Decade in Africa” and calling for an Action Plan for the same. The Action Plan is further intended to enhance AU Member States compliance to continental and regional human rights standards and norms as well as strengthen the collaboration and cooperation among human rights actors at all levels. 

The meeting was officially closed by H.E Justice Hassan Boubacar Jallow, Chief Justice of the Gambia. In his remarks, H.E Justice Jallow commended the work of AU Organs with human and peoples’ rights mandates towards the protection and promotion of human rights in Africa. He specifically commended the Organs for their efforts towards the development of the Action plan for the Human and Peoples’ Rights Decade in Africa, noting that this will go a long way in consolidating the gains achieved over the years in the protection and promotion of human rights. He specifically called on the AU to provide the necessary technical support to the Government of The Gambia towards the establishment of its National Human Rights Institution and Transitional Justice programme to inculcate and deepen the culture of human rights and to promote unity, reconciliation and harmony in the country.

For inquiries, contact:
Amb. Salah Hammad | Senior Human Rights Officer I Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: HammadS@africa-union.org

For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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