African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights \07 ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, or being journalists or human rights defenders; Concerned about the lack of effective and appropriate monitoring mechanisms and independent police oversight authorities across Africa, and about the inadequate training of and availability of resources to law enforcement officials to promote and protect a rights-based approach to the policing of assemblies; Recognising the need to formulate and lay down principles and guidelines to strengthen the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights in the context of policing assemblies in Africa; Hereby adopt the following Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa: APCOF Guidelines on policing assemblies TEXT.indd 7 12/04/2017 17:07:43