The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called for the nomination of experts to serve as members of its Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa. The call is contained in Resolution ACHPR/Res.425(LXV)2019 under which the term of office of the current members will end on May 10, 2020.
The African Commission, through Resolution ACHPR/Res.148 (XLVI) 09 adopted at its 46th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 11-25 November 2009, established the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa.
To be eligible, candidates must be nationals of member states of the African Union and are required to have proven experience and expertise in human rights, in particular in the area of extractive industries, environment and human rights. The mandate of Working Group Members is for a period of two (2) years.
The Working Group will be composed of five experts representing the five regions of the continent and take into account linguistic and gender representation and will be saddled with the following mandates:
- Examine the impact of extractive industries in Africa within the context on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
- Research specific issues pertaining to the right of all peoples to freely dispose of their wealth and natural resources and to a general satisfactory environment favorable to their development;
- Undertake research on the violations of human and peoples’ rights by non-state actors in Africa;
- Request, gather, receive and exchange information and materials from all relevant sources;
- Inform the African Commission on the possible liability of non-state actors;
- Formulate recommendations and proposals on appropriate measures and activities for the prevention and reparation of violations of human and peoples’ rights by extractive industries;
- Collaborate with interested donors institutions and NGOs; and
- Prepare a comprehensive report to be presented to the African Commission.
Its mandate will also include undertaking promotion missions to State Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, organizing seminars and training sessions, publishing reports and research findings, sending urgent appeals to State Parties to the African Charter, and participating actively in regional and international meetings on the extractive industries, environment and human rights.
Applications should be accompanied by a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae and any other relevant document, and should be received at the Secretariat of the Commission no later than April 27, 2020. The Commission will appoint the new expert members of the Working Group during its 66th Ordinary Session tentatively scheduled to be held in May/June 2020.
All applications should be sent by email to Au-Banjul@Africa-Union.Org and africancommission@yahoo.com, or by courier addressed to African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, Western Region, P.O. Box 673 Banjul, The Gambia.
