African Commission on
Human and Peoples' Rights

Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was established by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights with the adoption of Resolution 73 at the 36th Ordinary Session held in Dakar, Senegal from 23rdNovember to 7th December 2004. The mandate calls for the Working Group to

develop and propose to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights a draft Principles and Guidelines on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
elaborate a draft revised guidelines for State reporting;
undertake studies and research on specific economic, social and cultural rights; and
make a progress report to the African Commission at each Ordinary Session.

In resolution 141 of the 44th Ordinary Session (Abuja, Nigeria – November 2008), the Working Group was mandated to further define State obligations related to access to medicines and to develop model monitoring and assessment guidelines.

Hon. Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga, Commissioner

Working Group Members

Experts

Dr. Martial Jeugue Doungue

Salima Namusobya

Mohamed R. Abdelsalam

Prof. Frans Viljoen

Dr. Rachidatou Illa Maikassoua

Key Documents

Guidelines on the Right to Water in Africa

News

High Level Continental Seminar On The Right To Health And Social Protection In Africa - Key Conclusions and Recommendations

Call for Applications for the Nomination of Expert Members of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa

Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE: Second Joint Continental Seminar on the Right to Health and Social Protection in Africa & Second Continental Conference on ‘The impact of COVID-19 on HIV Responses in Africa’ 27 - 29 June 2022 & 30 June - 2 July 2022, Windhoek, Namibia

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Second Joint Continental Seminar on the Right to Health and Social Protection in Africa & Second Continental Conference on ‘The impact of COVID-19 on HIV Responses in Africa, 26 - 28 May 2022 & 30 May - 1 June 2022 Windhoek, Namibia

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE High Level Continental Seminar on the Right to Health and Social Protection in Africa & Regional Consultation on the Restoration of the Civic Space to enhance Human Rights protection in Africa 8 - 10 December 2021 Dakar, Senegal

Press statement on the publication of the Guidelines on the Right to Water in Africa

Press release on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic, social and cultural rights in Africa

Statement on Letter of Urgent Appeal to the United Republic of Tanzania

Press Statement at the Conclusion of the Promotion Mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to the Republic of Guinea Bissau

Press Release on the alleged abduction of school girls in Yobe State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Press Release: Regional Consultation Meeting on the Zero Draft Principles on the Declassification and Decriminalization of Petty Offences in Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, 5 to 6 December 2016

Press Release on the Promotion Mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Press release on the promotion mission to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire

Press Release on the Promotion Mission to the Republic of The Sudan

Statement on the collective responsibility of States in the prevention and containment of the Ebola pandemic

Statement by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Spread of the Ebola Virus

Regional Workshop on the Right to Education for All

Press Release on the Destruction of Cultural and Ancient Monuments in the Malian City of Timbuktu

Press release concerning the transition process in Tunisia and Egypt

Announcement

Extension Of Call For Applications For The Nomination Of Expert Members Of The Working Group On Economic, Social And Cultural Rights In Africa

PRESS RELEASE: Second Joint Continental Seminar on the Right to Health and Social Protection in Africa & Second Continental Conference on ‘The impact of COVID-19 on HIV Responses in Africa, 27 - 29 June 2022 & 30 June - 2 July 2022 Windhoek, Namibia

Call for input into the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ draft general comment on states’ obligations to regulate private actors involved in the provision of social services

Video

Gallery

Usefull Links

Adopted Resolutions

Resolution on the Right to Food and Building Resilience in Nutrition across Africa - ACHPR/Rés.514(LXX) #514

Resolution on upholding human rights during situations of emergency and in other exceptional circumstances - ACHPR/Res. 447 (LXVI) 2020 #447

Resolution on Human and Peoples’ Rights as central pillar of successful response to COVID-19 and recovery from its socio-political impacts - ACHPR/Res. 449 (LXVI) 2020 #449

Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa and Appointment of its Chairperson and Members - ACHPR/Res. 457 (LXVI) 2020 #457

Resolution on the Need to Develop Norms on States’ Obligations to Regulate Private Actors Involved in the Provision of Social Services - ACHPR/Res. 434 (EXT.OS/ XXVI1) 2020 #434

Resolution on the renewal of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Special Mechanisms’ mandates - ACHPR/Res.425(LXV)2019 #425

Resolution on the Right to Food and Nutrition in Africa - ACHPR/Res.431(LXV)2019 #431

Resolution on the human rights impacts of extreme weather in Eastern and Southern Africa due to climate change - ACHPR / Res. 417 (LXIV) 2019 #417

Resolution on States’ Obligation to Regulate Private Actors Involved in the Provision of Health and Education Services - ACHPR / Res. 420 (LXIV) 2019 #420

Resolution on the Reconstitution and Renewal of the Mandate of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa and Renewal of the Appointment of its Chairperson and Members - ACHPR/Res.391(LXI)2017 #391

Resolution on the Appointment of the Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa and Renewal of the Mandate of its Members - ACHPR/Res.316(LVII)2015 #316

Resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the working group on economic, social and cultural rights in africa - ACHPR/Res.252(LIV)2013 #252

Resolution on the Renewal of the Mandate of the Working Group on Economic Social and Cultural Rights in Africa - ACHPR/Res.193(L)2011 #193

Resolution on Access to Health and Needed Medicines in Africa - ACHPR/Res.141(XXXXIV)08 #141

Resolution on the Appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa - ACHPR/Res.124(XXXXII)07 #124

Resolution on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa - ACHPR/Res.73(XXXVI)04 #73