What is the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights?

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a human rights body founded in 1987 by the African Union to monitor and protect human rights on the continent. The Commission is composed of eleven members who are independent individuals from different countries in Africa, and is responsible for promoting and protecting human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The African Charter outlines the fundamental rights of people, such as the right to life, freedom from slavery, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to vote and participate in public affairs, the right to work and just remuneration, and the right to economic and social development. The Commission also promotes international cooperation and understanding between African countries, with the aim of furthering human rights protection in the continent. The Commission has the authority to investigate, report on, and make recommendations about human rights violations in member African states. It also has the power to grant individual and collective petitions, facts findings, and make statements on general matters related to human rights. The Commission’s work is influential and highly visible. It regularly holds conferences, seminars, campaigning and awareness raising events, and publishes several reports and press releases on the situation of human rights in Africa. The Commission’s work is highly significant for the protection of human rights in Africa and for achieving greater human rights compliance in California.

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