Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa

ACHPR/Res.248 (LIV) 2013: RESOLUTION ON THE RENEWAL OF THE MANDATE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN AFRICA

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 54th Ordinary Session, held from 22 October to 5 November 2013, in Banjul, The Gambia;

Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Recalling its Resolution ACHPR/ 69(XXXV) 04 of 4 June 2004 on the protection of human rights defenders in Africa, adopted at its 35th Ordinary Session, held from 21 May to 4 June 2004, in Banjul, The Gambia;

Bearing in mind its Resolution 83(XXXVIII) 05 of 5 December 2005 on the Appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, adopted at the 38th Ordinary Session, held from 21 November to 5 December 2005, in Banjul, The Gambia;

Considering its Resolution ACHPR/Res.125 (XXXXII) 07 on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, adopted at its 42nd Ordinary Session, held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, from 13 to 28 November 2007;

Bearing in mind that in the Grand Bay Declaration and Action Plan (Mauritius), the Organisation of African Unity (African Union) called on Member States “to take all the necessary measures to implement the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in Africa”;

Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.149 (XLVI) 09, on the appointment of Commissioner Lucy Asuagbor as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;

Further recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.151 (XLVI) 09 on the need to conduct a study on Freedom of Association and Resolution ACHPR/Res.186(XLIX)11 on the Appointment of Members of the Study Group on Freedom of Association in Africa, which assigns oversight responsibility of the said study to the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;

Bearing in mind Resolution ACHPR/Res.202 (L) 11 on the appointment of Commissioner Reine Alapini Gansou as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;

Noting with appreciation the work done by Commissioner Reine Alapini Gansou as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa;

Considering the needs of the mandate;

Decides to renew the mandate of Commissioner Reine Alapini Gansou as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa for a period of two (2) years, effective from 5 November 2013.

Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 5 November 2013