1. Understanding the African Commission

The African Commission’s first function, according to article 45 of the African Charter, is to promote human and peoples’ rights. This role consists mainly in raising awareness and disseminating information on the situation of human and peoples’ rights in Africa in a number of ways, including:

• Organising promotional country visits to promote the rights of the African Charter (e.g. in Namibia in 2023);
• Raising awareness about the rights of the African Charter;
• Mobilising public, national, and local institutions concerned with human rights, and disseminating information through seminars, symposia, conferences and missions;
• Adopt soft law instruments such as:
  • Resolutions. E.g. Resolution on Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
  • General comments to provide guidance on the interpretation of specific rights / articles of treaties and protocols. E.g. General Comment No. 6 on The Maputo Protocol: The Right To Property During Separation, Divorce Or Annulment Of Marriage
  • Guidelines, Principles and Declarations. E.g. The African Guiding Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
  • Other publications, including research, study, model law. E.g. Study on the Use of Force by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa

In its promotional function, the African Commission also collaborates with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), national human rights institutions (NHRIs), international organisations, and other human rights organisations. See chapter 3.3: Participating in and preparing for the Commission. All documentation can be found on the African Commission website.