The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 55th Ordinary Session held from 28 April to 12 May 2014, in Luanda, Angola,

 Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

 Further recalling

• Articles 1 and 23 of the African Charter which guarantee the security of peoples and their protection by States Parties;
• Article 45(1) (b) of the African Charter under which the Commission is mandated to formulate and lay down principles and rules aimed at solving legal problems relating to human and peoples’ rights and fundamental freedoms upon which African Governments may base their legislation;

Mindful of the OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism of July 1999 and the Protocol to the OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism adopted in July 2004;

Stressing the urgent need for all African States to take the necessary measures to protect their populations against acts of terrorism and to implement all international and regional instruments relating to humanitarian law and human rights;

Convinced that terrorism constitutes a serious violation of human rights and a threat to peace, security, development and democracy;

Deeply concerned by the increase in terrorist acts on the continent and the growing risks of links between terrorism and, amongst others, mercenarism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, money laundering and illicit proliferation of small arms; 

Considering the need to prepare guidelines and establish principles relating to human rights and the fight against terrorism, the causes of which are complex and require a comprehensive approach:

1. Decides to assign the task of preparing the Guidelines on the Fight against Terrorism to the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa; and
2. Decides that the Guidelines should be presented to the Commission for consideration during its 56th Ordinary Session, to be held in October 2014.

 Adopted at the 55th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Luanda, Angola, 28 April to 12 May 2014