The 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) took place in Banjul from 18 April to 2 May 2012. In this session, the Commission reviewed state reports from Sudan and Angola, and adopted the concluding observations on Togo.

 Death penalty

The Working Group on the death penalty in Africa launched, on April 19, its "Study on the question of the death penalty in Africa." This study, which was adopted at the 50th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR in November 2011, is a very useful tool for the implementation of regional strategies in favour of the abolition the death penalty.

In conclusion of this study, the Commission recommends that Member states of the African Union adopt a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the abolition of the death penalty in Africa.

 Togo

FIACAT and ACAT Togo have submitted to the Commission additional information following the review of periodic report of Togo at the 50th Ordinary Session of the Commission.

The information has been collected in November and December 2011 and aim to reply to questions from the Commissioners of the Review of the periodic report of Togo.

 Prevention of Torture

The Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the ACHPR (CPTA) has published the fourth issue of its newsletter "Africa Torture Watch". FIACAT submitted an article for this letter on "Preventing torture in Burkina Faso: Use of Community Service, as an Alternative to Prison".

For further information

 Oral statement of the FIACAT for the launch of the Study on the death penalty in Africa "Is the Death Penalty an Inhuman and Degrading Treatment?"

 Oral statement of the FIACAT on behalf of the World Coalition against the death penalty on the death penalty in Africa

 Additional information of FIACAT and ACAT Togo addressed to the ACHPR (Only available in French)

 "Preventing torture in Burkina Faso: Use of Community Service, as an Alternative to Prison"

 Press Release: "51st Session of the ACHPR: FIACAT is involved in favour of abolishing the death penalty in Africa"