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:
- Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Deputy Minister of Justice of
the Republic of South Africa, in her capacity as Representative
of the Delegates present at the Session; and
- Mr. Mohammed Monieb of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights,
on behalf of the Non-Governmental Organisations.
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.
Issued in Bujumbura, Burundi
May 5, 1999
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