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This webinar seeks to provide reflections on aspects of the Commission’s 2020 Rules. It aims to inform, but also to provoke discussion and further criticism. The Rules of Procedure remain work-in-progress. 

This event takes place under the auspices of five NGOs that work closely with the Commission: Amnesty International; Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria; Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA); Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA); and Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA).

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Webinar

Thursday 13 August 2020
Webinar (Zoom)
09:00 GMT  /  10:00 WAT  /  11:00 SAST  /  12:00 EAT 

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Theme: Civil society reflections on the Rules of Procedure 2020 of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Chair: Corlett Letlojane
Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA)

Panellists:

  • Japeth Biegon: The new Rules: the big picture
    Amnesty International
  • Gaye Sowe: Implications for the Communications Process
    Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA)
  • Sibongile Ndashe: Implications for the independence of the Commission
    Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA)
  • Frans Viljoen: Amicus curiae; relationship with Court
    Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

Background

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is the major watchdog established under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. While the Charter provides normative guidance, it is silent about the operational details concerning the Commission’s  mandate. This gap is filled by the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, which it is mandated to adopt by article 42(2) of the Charter. In its life span of over 30 years, the Commission has adopted four iterations of its Rules of Procedures, in 1988, 1995, 2010 and 2020. The most recent set of Rules was adopted during the 27th Extra-Ordinary Session of the Commission held from 19 February to 4 March 2020 and entered into force on 2 June 2020. 

Civil society enjoys a relationship of critical closeness to the Commission. NGOs with observer status may contribute to the Commission’s public deliberations. NGOs submit communications, present shadow reports, collaborate with the Commission on development of soft law, and support its advocacy activities. NGOs also play a role in ‘keeping the Commission on its toes’ by providing suggestions for reform. 

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