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Credo-Africa and Media Foundation for West Africa: Strengthening Freedom of Expression in Africa
25 June 2007
A two-day conference on Strengthening Freedom of Expression in Africa, organized by the Centre for Research Education and the Development of Rights in Africa (CREDO-Africa) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with the support of the Open Society-Network Media Programme, took place in Accra, Ghana from June 25 - 26, 2007. The full resolution follows:
Resolution for the adoption of an Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, on Freedom of Expression (Adopted at CSO AU Summit conference on Strengthening Freedom of Expression organised in Accra, Ghana 25-26 June 2007.)
Considering that article 66 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights allows for the adoption of Protocols or particular agreements to complement the provisions of the Charter where necessary;-
Considering that articles 60 and 61 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights recognize regional and international instruments relating to human rights and African practices which conform to the standards of international Human and Peoples' rights as important principles of reference for the application and the interpretation of the African Charter;
Considering that article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights guarantees the Freedom of Expression;
Considering that the Declaration of the Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa proclaims that the Freedom of Expression is "a fundamental right" which includes "the right to receive information and express opinions";
Considering the importance of Freedom of Expression and its direct link with other fundamental freedoms;-
Considering numerous violations of Freedom of Expression in Africa;
Concerned by the growing impunity whose authors benefit from the violations of the Freedom of Expression in Africa;
Considering the restrictive interpretation of article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' rights made by States;
Convinced that only a legal and binding continental instrument can guarantee Freedom of Expression in Africa;
We, the participants to the Conference on Strengthening Freedom of Expression in Africa, held on June 25-26, 2007 in Accra (Ghana):
Ask State parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights to ratify and adapt to their national laws, international and regional instruments related to Freedom of Expression;
Ask the relevant organs of the African Union to work with African Civil Society and especially free expression organisations to submit an Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on Freedom of Expression to the Summit of Heads of State by mid 2008;
Ask the relevant organs of the African Union to work with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and Civil Society organisations particularly freedom of expression organisations in the drafting of the protocol;
Ask the AU and African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to:
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Provide the Special Rapporteur of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights on Freedom of Expression all the necessary means to accomplish her mandate particularly to receive information, conduct studies and investigations, initiate dialogue with states and sensitize them to implement the United Nations and African Union's provisions as well as submit reports and recommendations to the Commission
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Ensure that the Freedom of Expression is a permanent key point for the examination of the periodic reports submitted by States to the Commission
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Exhort the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to work with African Civil Society especially free expression organisations in the process of the drafting and implementation of the Additional Protocol Done in Accra, this 26th Day of June, 2007.
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