Resolution on the Composition and Renewal of the Mandate of the Working group on Indigenous Populations/ Communities in Africa

ACHPR/RES.81(XXXVIII)05: RESOLUTION ON THE COMPOSITION AND RENEWAL OF THE MANDATE OF THE WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS/COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights meeting at its 38th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 21 November to 5 December 2005;

Recalling its Resolution Ref. ACHPR/Res.65 (XXXIV) 03 on the adoption of the Report of the African Commission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities adopted at its 34th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia from 6 to 20 November 2003;

Recalling that the African Commission established a Working Group composed of six members, amongst them, two Members of the African Commission;

Noting that the African Commission entrusted the Working Group with a mandate for an initial period of two years;

Considering that the initial term of two years of the Working Group comes to an end during the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

Commending the continuous assistance of the International Working Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) to the activities of the Working Group;

Appreciating the work undertaken by the Working Group during the past two years in the discharge of its mandate;

Recognising further the importance of the work of the Working Group in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous populations/communities in Africa and the necessity to allow the Working Group to continue to carry out its mandate;

Decides to:

• Extend the mandate of the Working Group for a period of two years with effect from 5 December 2005;

• Designate Commissioner Kamel Rezag Bara as Chairperson of the Working Group; and

• Appoint Commissioner Musa N Bitaye as Member of the Working Group.