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Resolution on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, Sixty-Fourth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, 1 - 5 July 1996, Yaounde, Cameroon.

The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Sixty-Fourth Ordinary Session from 1 to 5 July 1996 in Yaounde, Cameroon,

Having considered the Report of the Secretary-General on the measures taken to implement resolution AHG/Res. 230 (XXX), Doc. CM/1968 (LXIV),

Considering that the Charter of the Organization of African Unity declares that freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African Peoples,

Recalling that the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights reaffirms adherence to the principles of Human and Peoples' Rights, Freedom and duties contained in the declarations, conventions and other instruments adopted by the Organization of African Unity, and other International Organizations,

Recalling also Resolution AHG/230 (XXX) of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government by which the Secretary-General was requested to convene a Government experts meeting to ponder in conjunction with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights over the means to enhance the efficiency of the African Commission in considering particularly the establishment of an African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights,

Firmly convinced that the attainment of the objectives of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights requires the African Commission to be strengthened by the provision of sufficient human and material resources as well as by the establishment of an African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights to complement and reinforce the mission of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights:

1. COMMENDS the Secretary-General on measures taken to implement Resolution AHG. 230 (XXX);

2. APPROVES the recommendations contained in the report of the experts meeting, (Annex I) relating to the strengthening of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights;

3. DEFERS CONSIDERATION of the draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the establishment of an African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights to the 65th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers;

4. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to once again circulate the Draft Protocol to Member States inviting their views, comments and observations within a limited period and to submit a report thereon to the 65th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers to facilitate consideration of the Draft Protocol.