ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Human Rights our Collective Responsibility 59. Article 56(6) of the African Charter states that Communications relating to human and peoples' rights ... shall be considered if they are submitted within a reasonable period from the time local remedies are exhausted, or from the date the Commission is seized with the matter". The purpose of this provision is to require the Complainant to 'be vigilant and to discourage tardiness'." 60. In previous matters, the Commission has generally found the submission of a Communication within '6 months after exhaustion of local remedies to be a reasonable period." But the approach in determining a "reasonable period" is on a case by case analysis. IS In making such a determination, the Commission will, amongst others, also take into account its own -obligation to ' protect human and peoples' rights',16 In cases where there is a delay in the submission of a Communication, the complainant needs: to provide reasons" which must be a 'compelling reason'1S or a 'good and compelling~:reason' which requires the African Commission to consider the case in th~ interest~:Qf'fairness and justice' ,19 <,:<.~., 61. ,1 The "reasonable period from the ~imeloc~t:t~ .ies are exh~~sted" starts to run from the 'date of exha:ustion of local reme' ~('[I~'l,{o r 'from the date that the last available local remedy is exhausted by the corriplC}inant';21 or from the date of the 13 Communication 310/05: Darfur Relief and Documentation 14 Communication 308/05 : Michael Majuru v Zimbabwe, 24 November 2008, para 109. 306/05- 1 March 2011 - Samuel T. Muzerengwa and 110 Others (represented 15 Communication Centre v Sudan, 25 November 2009, para 78. by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights))' Zimbabwe. '. See also Communication 278/2003 - Promoting Justice for Women and Children (PROJUST NGO) vs. Democratic (represented Republi~}?f Con~();1,2. Qctober 2013, para 76. Communication by Zim8a~yve-8umiln 101Communication 351X~b07-' Givernore' Chari (represented October 2013, para 83. < 16 Communication 308/05 : Michael Majuru v Zimbabwe, 17 Communication 340/07 - Nixon Nyikadzino Rights NGO Forum) v. Zimbabwe, 4 June 2014, paras 100 and by Gabriel Shu mba) v Republic of Zimbabwe, 12 24 November 2008, para 108. 333/06 : Southern Africa Human Rights NGO Network and Others v Tanzania, 26 May 2010, para 76. 18 Communication 310/05 : Darfur Relief and Documentation 19 Communication 375/09 - Priscilla Njeri Echaria (represented International 20 Center for the Protection Communication 278/2003 by Federation of Women 2009, para 78. Lawyers, Kenya and of Human Rights) v. Kenya, 7 November 2011, para 60. - Promoting Republic of Congo, 12 October Centre v Sudan, 25 November Justice for Women and Children 2013, para 76. Communication 340/07 (PROJUST NGO) vs. Democratic - Nixon Nyikadzino (represented by Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum) v. Zimbabwe, 4 June 2014, para 100. Communication 409/12 - Luke Munyandu Tembani and Benjamin John Freeth (represented by Norman Tjombe) v Angola and Thirt ·erf~itiers?, ~.", 0'., 'YD '-_ 30 April 2014, para 107. 0"\ c.\-<t'· J'/'Ir ,o(e,'" c.,,'< 21 Communication 322/2006 (,~f ,,...-, - Tsatsu Tsikata v. Republic of Ghana, para 51. African (r~) Union ~y. I \~. U The African Commission '\ (i" 11:: '. -:I o An 011)''''oftl,e ....... '(\ .\ I ~~ .1 (: 0'1,\ ~uf"(l'a and),tiO'~!\S..s'~Igbts~ ~t.. 31 BljilO Annex Layout, Kombo Nb,?\!flDi§lln We~Cl:last-Region / fi4/J ~'(~ lOa, ....'<./1....I. Email: au-ba)ti l~arrlea~i~-\I'l'~OI Phone: (220) Z3rWt3~~)(~)..4~l.)gs '.. IO'\lf-;7E E1 0<:"'" ~ htp~~c~l.01f\!) 0 a