Final Communiqué of the 75th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

AFRICAN UNION

الاتحاد الأفريقي

UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA

Commission Africaine des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples

31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, Western Region, P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia

Tel: (220) 4410505 / 4410506; Fax: (220) 4410504

E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org; Web www.achpr.org

Final Communiqué of the 75th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

BANJUL, THE GAMBIA 03 May – 23 May 2023

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1. 1. In accordance with Article 64(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter), read together with Rule 27 of the Rules of Procedure (2020) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), the Commission held its 75$^{th}$ Ordinary Session (Session) in hybrid format, from 03 to 23 May 2023 in Banjul, The Gambia.
2. 2. The Opening Ceremony of the Session was held on 03 May 2023 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, and was presided over by H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia; and Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the Commission.
3. 3. The Commission held its Public and Private Session at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.
4. 4. The substantive programs of the Session were presided over by Honourable Commissioner Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the Commission, assisted by Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel, Vice Chairperson of the Commission.
5. 5. The following Members of the Commission participated in the Session:
6. i Honourable Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson;
7. ii Honourable Commissioner Maya Sahli-Fadel, Vice Chairperson;
8. iii Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso;
9. iv Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem;
10. v Honourable Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela;
11. vi Honourable Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga;
12. vii Honourable Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo;
13. viii Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah – Njie; and
14. ix Honourable Commissioner Litha Musyimi Ogana.
15. 6. Honourable Commissioners Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo and Idrissa Sow were unable to be present in person. However, they participated and attended virtually.
16. 7. Key Statements were delivered by:

• ➤ Ms. Hannah Forster, Executive Director of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, on behalf of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Forum Steering Committee;
• ➤ H.E. Dr. Elasto Mugwadi (virtually), Chairperson of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) and Chairperson of Zimbabwe National Human Rights Commission, on behalf of NANHRI;

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• ➤ H.E Eamon Gilmore (virtually), European Union Special Representative for Human Rights;
• ➤ Mr. Marcel Akpovo (virtually), Regional Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the African Union and the Regional Office for East Africa;
• ➤ Hon. Lady Justice Imani D. Aboud (virtually), the President of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Court);