3. The Rapporteur shall prepare a report containing the facts, findings and recommendations for
consideration by the Commission.
4. Before adopting the report of the Rapporteur, the Commission may convene a hearing at which it may
allow the parties to make additional oral observations.
Rule 92 Decision of the Commission
1. Within twelve months of receipt of a Communication, the Commission shall adopt a decision, prepare a
report and make recommendations, pursuant to Article 53 of the African Charter following the notification
referred to in Article 48 of the African Charter and the present Rules of Procedure.
2. The report of the Commission on the Communication shall be communicated to the States Parties
concerned through the Secretary.
3. The report of the Commission on the communication shall be submitted as part of the Commission's
Activity Report to the Assembly.
Section 4 Consideration of Communications Received in Conformity with Article 55 of the African Charter: Other
Communications
Rule 93 Seizure of the Commission
1. A Communication submitted under Article 55 of the African Charter may be addressed to the
Chairperson of the Commission through the Secretary by any natural or legal person.
2. The Secretary shall ensure that Communications addressed to the Commission contain the following
information:
a) The name, nationality and signature of the person or persons filing it; or in cases where the Complainant
is a non-governmental entity, the name and signature of its legal representative(s);
b) Whether the Complainant wishes that his or her identity be withheld from the State;
c) The address for receiving correspondence from the Commission and, if available, a telephone number,
facsimile number, and email address;
d) An account of the act or situation complained of, specifying the place, date and nature of the alleged
violations;
e) The name of the victim, in a case where he or she is not the Complainant;
f) Any public authority that has taken cognisance of the fact or situation alleged;
g) The name of the State(s) alleged to be responsible for the violation of the African Charter, even if no
specific reference is made to the article(s) alleged to have been violated;
h) Compliance with the period prescribed in the African Charter for submission of the Communication;
i) Any steps taken to exhaust domestic remedies, or if the applicant alleges the impossibility or
unavailability of domestic remedies, the grounds in support of such allegation; and
j) An indication that the complaint has not been submitted to another international settlement proceeding as
provided in Article 56(7) of the African Charter.
3. In cases where the victim has not asked for anonymity and is represented by an NGO or other agent, the
victim shall be the Complainant of record and the fact of representation or agency shall be recognised.
4. Where a Communication does not contain some of the documents and information listed in paragraph 2
of the present Rule, the Secretary shall request the Complainant to furnish the same.
5. When the Secretary is satisfied that all necessary information has been furnished, it shall transmit the file
to the Commission which shall make a decision on seizure on the Communication.
Rule 94 Representation
1. States Parties shall be represented before the Commission by their representatives.
2. Natural or legal persons may either appear in person or be represented by their appointed representative
before the Commission.
Rule 95 Order of consideration of Communications
Unless otherwise decided, the Commission shall consider Communications in the order in which they have
been received by the Secretary.
Rule 96 Joinder and Disjoinder of Communications
1. If two or more Communications against the same State Party address similar facts, or reveal the same
pattern of violation of rights, the Commission may join them and consider them together as a single
Communication.
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