The 63rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on People and Human Rights under the theme “The AU Convention on preventing and combating corruption: winning or losing the fight” was held in Banjul, the Gambia on 24th October to 13th November 2018. The African Commission Session was preceded by the NGO forum which took place from 20th to 22nd October 2018. Anne Mulama, Assistant Program Officer-Redress represented IMLU at the NGO forum and the 63rd session of the ACHPR, she monitored closely and reported on the following key developments at the NGO forum and the Session.
1. Special interest groups discussion at the NGO forum
At the NGO forum, we participated in the following topics which fell under our mandate;
a) Prevention of Torture;
b) Death penalty and Extra Judicial, summary or Arbitrary Killings in Africa;
c) Policing and Human Rights; and
d) Enforced disappearances.
The special interest group’s discussions took place on 21st October 2018, the guiding questions for the working groups sought to establish the impact of corruption on the general situation of the interest group, the human rights violations that are likely to occur due to corrupt practices, proposed actions for addressing the violations. The recommendation raised from the discussions was included in the NGO statement that was presented to the ACHPR on 24th October 2018.
2. Panel discussion on the extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings in Africa
On 27th October 2018, we participated as panelist as panelist on the discussion on extra judicial killings in Africa. The main objective of the panel was to raise awareness on the question of extrajudicial killings in Africa within the context of General Comment No. 3 and how it violates the right to life. The full video can be accessed through Panel Discussion on Extrajudicial Killings in Africa
At the end of the panel discussion, the Chairperson in her final concluding remarks noted the prevalence of Extrajudicial executions in Africa and urged. In the final communique, the commission adopted 11 resolutions, amongst them, is the resolution for the expansion of the mandate and composition of the working group on death penalty & extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings in Africa. The final communique can be accessed at Final Communique on Extrajudicial Killings in Africa
3. Handing over the East Africa Consultative Forum Report on the status of Extrajudicial Executions and Enforced Disappearances.
On 4th and 5th October 2018, we partnered with the United Nations office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize an East Africa pre-session caucus to discuss in depth the issue of extra-judicial execution and enforced disappearances in East Africa, the forum was attended by 40 participants from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, all of whom are working towards curbing the vice. During the 63rd session Ann handed over the comprehensive report of the findings to the Chairperson and members of the Working Group on Death Penalty and Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary killings in Africa –ACHPR,
While receiving the report the Chairperson appreciated the level of commitment by civil society organizations from the East Africa region who are working tirelessly to curb the vice. She further promised to go through the said report and consider the recommendations highlighted in the report. Lastly she reaffirmed the working groups commitment in supporting and working alongside the civil society organizations.
4. Joint statement on the human rights situation in Kenya.
On 27th October 2018, together with International Commission of Jurist-Kenya, we issued a joint statement to the ACHPR.
Our participation in the 63rd session of the ACHPR was geared towards ensuring that we continue to support to reforms through effective engagements with regional and International partners and collaborations, hence, achieving the main objectives of partnering with other organization that work around our mandate to hold side events; panel discussions; strategic networking; and finally sharing with the working group the final communique the recently held East Africa consultative forum on the status of ED’s and EJ’s as reported above.
