The 47th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) took place in Banjul (Gambia) from 12 to 26 May 2010. It was preceded by a NGO Forum organized by the African Centre for Human Rights Studies from 8 to 11 May.
FIACAT attended both events on behalf of African ACATs.
According to Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, States Parties to the Charter must submit, every two years, a periodic report on the legislative, judicial or other measures taken to implement the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the Charter. The periodic reports of Cameroon, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo were supposed to be considered during this session.
FIACAT, in partnership with ACAT Cameroon and ACAT Democratic Republic of Congo, has prepared two alternative reports dealing with the violations of human rights in these countries.
The report on Cameroon puts particular emphasis on the conditions of detention in prisons in Cameroon and the violence of February 2008.
The report on the DRC has been prepared by ACAT South-Kivu on the particular situation of children in the territory of Kabare, South-Kivu.
FIACAT and ACAT Cameroon’s report has been very useful for scrutinizing the human rights situation in Cameroon. The concluding observations will be published shortly by the Commission.
The Government of the DRC has unfortunately not attended the session and its report has not been reviewed. FIACAT deeply regrets that the Commission did not consider its report in the absence of the state.
For further information:
Final Communique of the 47th session
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
