African Commission. More so, the African Commission, has, through its Guidelines on the Submission of Communications5, encouraged the submission of Communications on behalf of victims of human rights violations, especially those who are unable to represent themselves. 77. In Communication 155/966, for example, the African Commission endorsed the actio popularis doctrine when it “thank(ed) the two human rights AC HP R NGOs who brought the matter under its purview: the Social and Economic Rights Action Center (Nigeria) and the Center for Economic and Social Rights (USA). Such is the demonstration of the usefulness to the African Commission and individuals of actio popularis, which is wisely allowed under the African Charter.” The actio popularis doctrine allows persons interested in the protection of human rights in Africa to seize the African Commission on behalf of persons who for one reason or the other, cannot do so on their own. 78. The rationale for this broad approach to locus standi is in view of the fact that the African Commission, mandated to promote and protect human and peoples‟ rights in Africa7, bears in mind the fact that in some instances, individuals in Africa whose rights are violated, may be faced with practical difficulties that may preclude them from pursuing national or international legal remedies on their own behalf. The African Commission has therefore adopted the practice of entertaining Communications from persons who are interested in protecting human rights on the continent. These may be the victims themselves or civil society organizations acting on behalf of victims of the alleged violations. 8 This 5 African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Information Sheet No. 2. Communication 155/96 – The Social and Economic Rights Action Center and the Center for Economic and Social Rights/Nigeria, 15th Annual Activity Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 2001-2002, at Para. 49. 7 See Article 30 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 8 See for instance Communication 137/94, 156/96, 161/97 – International PEN, Constitutional Rights Project, Civil Liberties Project and INTERIGHTS (on behalf of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr) /Nigeria. 6 16