ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
REPORT OF THE PROMOTION MISSION TO THE REPUBLIC OF
NAMIBIA
BY
HON. COMMISSIONER JANET RAMATOULIE SALLAH-NJIE
12 to 16 June 2023
Considered at the 77th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 19 October to 9 November 2023
An Organ of the African Union
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region Gambia Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04 Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org https://achpr.au.int/
ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACRONYMS...5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...7 INTRODUCTION...8 Terms of Reference...8 Previous Engagements between the Commission and Namibia...9 Country Profile...10 Methodology...11 FINDINGS...11 Legislative and other measures to implement the provisions of the African Charter...12 Institutional measures for the implementation of the provisions of the African Charter...13 Monitoring the Implementation of Recommendations...14 Promotion and Protection of Human Rights...14 Access to Justice...14 Right to Life (Article 4 of the African Charter)...15 Prohibition and Prevention of Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Africa (Article 5 of the African Charter)...15 Prisons and Conditions of Detention...17 Field visits...20 Windhoek Klein Correctional Centre (Female)...20 Male Windhoek Correctional Facility...21 Police Holding Cells...21 Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (Article 9 of the African Charter)...21
An Organ of the African Union
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region Gambia Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04 Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org https://achpr.au.int/
ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly (Articles 10 and 11 of the African Charter)...22 Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons (Article 12 of the African Charter)...22 The Right to Land and Housing ...23 Right to Employment...24 Right to Health and Access to Health Care ...25 Right to Education ...27 Rights of Women, Children, Older Persons, and Persons with Disabilities ...27 Women...27 Children...29 Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities ...31 Indigenous Populations and Communities ...32 Extractive Industries and Environment ...34 RECOMMENDATIONS ...34 I. To the Namibian Government ...34 Monitoring the implementation of recommendations...34 Legislative and other measures to implement the provisions of the African Charter ...35 Promotion and protection of human rights...35 Prohibition of Torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment...35 Prisons, Conditions of Detention & Policing ...35 Freedom of Association and Assembly ...37 Freedom of Expression and Access to Information ...37 Rights of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ...37 The Right of Citizens to participate in politics...38 Right to Housing...38 Right to Employment...38 Right to Health and Access to Health Care ...38 Right to Education ...38
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region Gambia Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04 Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org