1988 Rules of Procedure of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples' Rights
Part One: General Provisions - Organisation of the Commission
Chapter I: Sessions
Rule 1 : Number of Sessions
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights hereinafter referred to as "The Commission" shall
hold the sessions which may be necessary to enable it carry out satisfactorily its functions in conformity
with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (hereinafter referred to as "The Charter").
Rule 2 : Opening Date
The Commission shall normally hold two ordinary sessions a year each lasting two weeks.
The ordinary sessions of the Commission shall be convened on a date fixed by the Commission on the
proposal of its Chairman and in consultation with the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity
(OAU) (hereinafter referred to as "The Secretary-General").
The Secretary-General may change, under exceptional circumstances, the opening date of a session, in
consultation with the Chairman of the Commission.
Rule 3 : Extra-ordinary Sessions
1. Extra-ordinary sessions shall be convened on decisions of the Commission. When the Commission is
not in session, the Chairman may convene extraordinary sessions in consultation with the members of the
Commission. The Chairman of the Commission shall also convene extraordinary sessions"
a) At the request of the majority of the members of the Commission,
b) At the request of the Current Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
2. Extraordinary sessions shall be convened as soon as possible on a date fixed by the Chairman, in
consultation with the Secretary-General and other members of the Commission.
Rule 4 : Place of Meetings
The sessions shall normally be held at the Headquarters of the Commission. The Commission may, in
consultation with the Secretary-General, decide to hold a session in another place.
Rule 5 : Notification of the Opening Date of the Sessions
The Secretary-General shall inform members of the Commission of the date of the first sitting of each
session and its venue. This notification shall be sent, in the case of an ordinary session, at least eight (8)
weeks and, in the case of an extraordinary session, at least three (3) weeks, if possible, before the session.
Chapter II: Agenda
Rule 6 : Drawing up the Provisional Agenda
1. The Provisional Agenda for each ordinary session shall be drawn up by the Secretary-General, in
consultation with the Chairman of the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and
these Rules.
2. The Provisional Agenda shall include if necessary, items on: "Communications from States", and "Other
Communications" in conformity with the provisions of 5 of the Charter. It should not contain any information
relating to such communications.
3. Except what has been specified above on the communications, the Provisional Agenda shall include all
the items listed by the present Rules of Procedure as well as the items proposed:
a) by the Commission at the previous session;
b) by the Chairman of the Commission or another member of the Commission;
c) by a State party to the Charter;
d) by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government (or the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of
African Unity);
e) by the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity for every issue relating to the functions
assigned to him by the Charter;
f) by a national liberation movement recognised by the OAU or by a non-governmental organisation;
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