1st November, 2017: Banjul, The Gambia: The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights commemorates its 30th Anniversary in Banjul, The Gambia. The event that coincides with the 6ist Ordinary Session of the Commission brought together different human rights stakeholders, including representatives of States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, AU Organs particularly those with a mandate on Human Rights, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN agencies, European Commission (EC), NGOs, NHRIs, NANRI, Academics, Students, Religious Leaders, Traditional Chiefs and the Media. The overarching objective of the commemoration was to assess the significance and impact of the Commission’s work since its establishment and to raise awareness on its mandate, highlighting its achievements and challenges, assessing its prospects, and proposing how to move the human rights agenda forward in Africa.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Adama Barrow, the President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia said that ‘‘it is without doubt that the Commission has worked tirelessly towards the promotion and protection of human rights on the continent for the past 30 years; I wish to recognize its excellent contributions and achievements in this regard. The establishment of the Commission continues to be a source of immense pride and hope for Africa – and in particular The Gambia as the host nation. We stand ready and willing to work with you to champion the cause of respect for and protection of human rights of all peoples on the African continent’’.

On his part, H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, theChairperson of the African Union Commission represented by H.E. Ambassador Minata Samate Cessouma, the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission, indicated that ‘‘African continent has witnessed decades of numerous human rights challenges resulting from a diverse range of factors, include, among others, colonialism, war, poverty, corruption, autocratic governance and exclusion of women from all spheres of life. It is against this background that the AU Member States through the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2016, declared the next 10 years as the Human and Peoples’ Rights Decade in Africa. The Declaration of the Decade provides an opportunity for the entire continent to take stock of the human rights trajectory on the continent and plan further for enhanced protection and promotion of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. Advocate Pansy Tlakula, the outgoing Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights thanked the people of Africa for the opportunity to serve the continent and thereafter, she called on all the AU Member States to prioritise implementation of their human rights commitments.

H.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights congratulated the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on its 30th Anniversary. He also argued that there is no perfect human rights anywhere in the world; according to him, what makes the difference among States and continents is the level of commitment to the principles of Human Rights and existence of well-funded and strong human rights institutions. In addition to the above, several other Human Rights institutions, including the African Committee of Expert on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, the African CSOs Platform working on Human and Peoples’ rights also attended and made commendable/inspiring statements.

In conclusion, the 61st Ordinary Session of the Commission also witnessed the outgoing of some of the Commissioners that have completed their term of office and the swearing-in of the newly elected Commissioners. Also, a new Bureau of the Commission was constituted and it is made up of Commissioners Soyala Manga from Mali and Lawrence Murugu Mute from Kenya as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively.

For inquiries, contact:

Mr. Calixte Aristide Mbari| Ag. Head, DGHRE I Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: MbariC@africa-union.org
and
Mr. John G. Ikubaje | Political Officer (Human Rights)I Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: GbodiJ@africa-union.org

For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I Email: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Follow us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission