Rule 27 Extraordinary Sessions
1. The Commission shall also hold Extraordinary Sessions.
2. The Chairperson of the Commission shall convene Extraordinary Sessions:
a) At the request of the majority of the members of the Commission; or
b) At the request of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
3. Extraordinary Sessions shall be convened on a date fixed by the Chairperson of the Commission, in
consultation with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the other members of the
Commission.
Rule 28 Place of Meetings
1. The sessions of the Commission shall be held at its headquarters, or in the territory of any other State
Party which invites the Commission.
2. In the event that a State Party invites the Commission to hold a session in its country, that State Party
shall sign an agreement with the Commission to host the session of the Commission, which agreement
shall vest the State Party with the responsibility for all additional expenses incurred by the Commission as a
result of the session being held outside its headquarters, in conformity with the relevant rules of the African
Union.
3. A State Party offering to host a session of the Commission shall not be under any suspension of the
African Union. Any country wishing to host a session of the Commission should commit itself to respecting
the provisions of Article 62, and should comply with all the recommendations of the African Commission,
where necessary.
4. The Commission may, in consultation with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, hold a
session at the headquarters of the African Union. The sharing of costs for such session shall be as agreed
with the African Union Commission.
Rule 29 Notification of the Opening Date of the Sessions
1. The Secretary shall inform members of the Commission of the date and venue of each session. This
notice shall be sent, in the case of an Ordinary Session, at least sixty (60) days before the Session unless
exceptional circumstances require otherwise.
2. In the case of an Extraordinary Session, the notice shall be sent as soon as possible before the
beginning of the session.
Rule 30 Quorum
Seven members of the Commission shall constitute the quorum, as specified in Article 42 (3) of the
Charter.
Rule 31 Private Sessions
1. Private Sessions of the Commission shall be held in private and deliberations shall remain confidential.
2. During a Private Session, the Secretary to the Commission, members of the Secretariat and persons
providing technical or secretarial assistance to the Commission shall be present unless the Commission
decides otherwise.
3. The Commission shall ensure the confidentiality of all case files, including pleadings. This provision shall
not be interpreted to prohibit the prompt sharing of pleadings with the parties to a Communication.
4. The Chairperson of the Commission may communicate to the public general information on deliberations
in Private Sessions, subject to the exigencies of 59 of the Charter and any special directions by the
Commission.
Chapter VII Agenda
Rule 32 Provisional Agenda
1. The Provisional Agenda for each Ordinary Session shall be drawn up by the Secretary in consultation
with the Bureau of the Commission and in accordance with the provisions of the Charter and the present
Rules of Procedure.
2. The Provisional Agenda shall include but not be limited to, items on "Communications from States" and
"Other Communications" in conformity with the provisions of Articles 48, 49, and 55 of the Charter.
3. Pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Rule, the Provisional Agenda may also include items proposed by:
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