Final Communique of the 25th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
1. At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Burundi, the 25th
Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
was held from 26 April – 5 May 1999 in Bujumbura, Burundi.
2. The opening ceremony took place on 26 April 1999, under the chairmanship
of Mr. Youssoupha Ndiaye, Chairman of the African Commission.
3. The Session was opened by the 1st Vice President of the Republic of Burundi,
His Excellency, Mr. Frédéric BAMVUGINYUMVIRA.
4. Speeches were also made by:
5. The Secretary General of the Organisation of African (OAU) addressed the
African Commission on 27 April 1999, in the presence of States delegates,
National Human Rights Institutions, and Human Rights Non-Governmental Organisations.
In his speech, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim congratulated the Government of Burundi
for its efforts in hosting this Session. These efforts are an indication of
the country’s firm desire to commit itself to the path of democratisation
and respect for human rights. He also recalled the African States’ undertaking,
in the Grand Baie Declaration and Plan of Action, adopted in Mauritius on
16 April 1999, at the 1st Ministerial Conference on Human Rights in Africa,
to promote and protect human rights. He also called on African States to ensure
quick ratification of the additional protocol creating the African Court on
Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on the Rights and
Welfare of the Child. Finally, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim reiterated the need to
evaluate the structure and functioning of the Secretariat of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to strengthen this organ and enable it
fulfil its mission in a satisfactory manner.
6. The African Commission deliberated on the state of its relations with Non-Governmental
Human Rights Organisations. It deplored the lack of co-operation on the part
of some of them: indeed, of the 231 NGOs with observer status, only 25 regularly
submit their biennial activity reports to the Secretariat of the Commission.
The Commission adopted new criteria for the granting of and enjoying observer
status.
7. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and South Africa presented their initial reports,
in accordance with article 62 of the Charter. The examination of Seychelles’
initial report was deferred to the 26th Ordinary Session. The Commission deplored
the fact that this State did not send any delegates to present its initial
report. Mali submitted its initial report.
8. The States delegates made presentations to the Commission on the human
rights situation in their respective countries.
9. Various NGOs expressed their concern regarding the deterioration of the
human rights situation in certain parts of the continent. These violations
include extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary executions, arbitrary arrests
and detentions, inhuman conditions of imprisonment and detention, restrictions
to the freedoms of expression, movement and association, military coups d’état,
forced disappearances, violations against women and children in countries
engaged in armed conflict. The NGOs also condemned the coups d’état
which took place in Niger and Comoros.
10. All the members of the Commission presented reports on their activities
during the inter-session period. The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women
in Africa, the Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary and Arbitrary
Executions, and the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention
in Africa also presented their reports.
11. The Chairman of the Commission informed all participants that two States,
Senegal and Burkina Faso, had ratified the Additional Protocol to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the creation of the African
Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Consequently, the Commission decided
to take appropriate measures with a view to the expeditious ratification of
the said Protocol.
12. The working group on the draft Protocol on Women’s Rights presented
its report to the Commission, which took due note of it.
13. As part of its promotion activities, the Commission decided to organise
a series of seminars and conferences.
14. During its closed sessions, the Commission was seized of 81 communications,
about 60 of which were examined.
15. The Commission adopted seven resolutions.
16. The Commission visited a displaced persons’ camp in Carama.
17. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expresses its
appreciation for the ongoing efforts for peace and national reconstruction
in Burundi. The Commission thanks the Burundian Government and People for
the warm welcome and fraternal hospitality extended to it, which contributed
to the success of its proceedings.
18. The Session was declared closed on 5 May 1999 by the First Vice President
of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency, Mr. Frédéric BAMVUGINYUMVIRA.
19. The Chairman of the Commission held a press conference following the closing
ceremony.
Done at Bujumbura, Burundi, 5 May 1999