Recalling Article 30 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which mandates it to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights and to ensure their protection in Africa;

Recalling itsitresolution on prisons in Africa adopted by the African Commission at its 17th Ordinary Session held in Lome, Togo in 1995;

Recalling further the appointment of the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa at its 20th Ordinary Session held in Grand Bay, Mauritius in 1996;

Considering the adoption of the Kampala Declaration on Prison Conditions in Africa in 1996 and the progress made in raising general prison standards in Africa since then;

Bearing in mind the various international instruments relating to the promotion of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty in general and penal reform in particular;

Reaffirming the necessity to promote and protect the rights of persons deprived of their liberty through penal reform;

Adopts the “Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action on Accelerating Prison and Penal Reform in Africa”.

Decides to publish as soon as possible the “Ouagadougou Declaration and Plan of Action on Accelerating Prison and Penal Reform in Africa” and ensure its wide distribution to Member States of the African Union, Civil Society Organisations and decision makers in the field of penal reform and the administration of justice;

Request the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa to report on the implementation of this resolution at its 35th Ordinary Session.

Done in Banjul, 20th November 2003