1995 Rules of Procedure of the African Commission
on Human and Peoples' Rights
Preamble
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights,
Having Considered the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights,
Acting in accordance with Article 42.2 of the Charter,
Has adopted the present revised Rules of Procedure:
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 to 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
1. The Commission shall normally hold two ordinary sessions a year each lasting for about two weeks.
2. 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").
3. The Secretary General may change under exceptional circumstances, the opening date of a session, in
consultation with the Chairman of the Commission.
Rule 3 - Extraordinary Session
1. The Commission may decide to hold extraordinary sessions, 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:
1. At the request of the majority of the members of the Commission or;
2. At the request of the current Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity.
2. Extraordinary sessions shall be convened as soon as possible on a date fixed by the Chairman, in
consultation with the Secretary General and the other members of the Commission.
Rule 4 - Place of Meetings
The sessions shall normally be held at the Headquarters of the Commission. The Commission, in
consideration with the Secretary General decide to hold a Session elsewhere.
Rule 5 - Notifications of the Opening Date of the Sessions
The Secretary of the commission (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall inform members of the
Commission of the date and venue of the first meeting of each session. This notification shall be sent, in
the case of an Ordinary Session, at least eight (8) 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 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 Article 55 of the Charter. It should not contain any
information relating to such communications.
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