lawfuL As to the latter, the Commission recalled its position in the case of Movement
Burkinabe des droits de l'Homme et des peuples vs Burkina Faso, 108 where it observed that a
violation of Article 12(2) ensued when a person (political leader) was prohibited from
leaving Burkina Faso after publishing a statement about the political situation in the
country and Sir Datoda K. Jawara vs The Gambia, that it is a violation of both Articles 12(1)
and 12(2) of the Charter, where people were prevented from travelling outside their
country.P?
193. The Commission agrees that the Victims' rights to fr,~~.domof movement under Article
12(1)(2) were violated. Firstly, by unlawful arrests:;~fd<detentions. Secondly, resulting
from the continued threats to the first Victim's life from Islamist fundamentalist groups,
from which the Respondent State did not protect her, and which means that she and her
family are unable to return to Sudan safely. Thiidly;-!he failure to take measures to
protect the lives and personal integrity of the Complainants against threats by private
actors, thus forcing them to leave Sudan against their will to protect themselves and their
families.
"
"
194. In light of the foregoing, the Commission finds the Respondent
in violation of Article 12
of the African Charter.
'
i ,..
,
;
,
<~'~:"i:y
,~;i~:
0f/\rticle 16;'p~e I{ight t:q '1le~lt'l
195. Article 16 of the Eharter Provides that: '
'
(1) "Eoerfone has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and
mental health,
'
!.,;,
On alleged Violation
(2) States Parties to the present Charter undertake to take the necessanj measures to protect
the health of their populations and to provide them with medical assistance in the event of
sickness. "
196. The right to health-is an essential right under Article 16 of the African Charter, which
obliges States to t~l(enecessary measures to protect the physical and mental health of
every individp.
tHiri~t];w!rjurisdiction. This right is not only essential for the wellbeing of all
but also':;underpins the realization of other rights recognized in the
Charter. The
ission reiterates its positions in Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
& INTERIGHTS ,vrJgIjptllO and Purohit and Moore v. The Gambia111 and its Resolution on
Access to Health andlhe Need for Medicines in Africa and the "Principles and Guidelines on the
Implementation of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the African Charter on Human and
Peoples' Rights" that it includes access to safe water, sanitation, food, nutrition, housing,
and occupational and environmental conditions. In regards to healthcare in detention,
the Commission refers to the case of Malawi African Association and Others v~ Mauritaflia_
pe'
,
~
108 Communication
204/97, Para 47.
Communication 147/95-149/96, Para 70.
110 Communication 323/06, 16 December 2011, Pg 261.
m Communication 241/01, 29 May 2003, Para 80.
109