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MANDATE OF THE WORKING GROUP ON RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities is one of the special mechanisms overseen by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In 2007, the Commission created a Focal Point on the Rights of Elderly Persons in Africa. See, e.g., ACommHPR, Resolution 118, Resolution on the Establishment and Appointment of a Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa, 28 November 2007. The Focal Point transitioned into the Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in 2009 during the Commission’s 45th Ordinary Session. See, e.g., ACommHPR, Resolution 143, Resolution on the Transformation of the Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa into a Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, 27 May 2009. The Working Group’s purpose is to create legal guidelines that protect and promote the human rights of older persons and people with disabilities throughout the African Union (AU) Member States.
COMPOSITION AND WORKING METHODS
The Commission appoints the Working Group’s Chairperson and members either by a consensus or by a vote. See ACommHPR, Rules of Procedure of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 2010, Rule 23(2). The mandate of the Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities was originally authorized for two years, but it has been renewed by the Commission several times. See, e.g., ACommHPR, Resolution 143, Resolution on the Transformation of the Focal Point on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa into a Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, 27 May 2009. The Working Group is comprised of the Chairperson, Commissioner members, and African expert members. See, e.g., ACommHPR, Resolution 200, Resolution Re-Appointing and Appointing the Chairperson and Other Members of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, 5 November 2011. As of October 2014, each individual appointed as Chairperson has been a Commissioner, and all the Commissioners who belonged to the Working Group were simultaneously serving on the African Commission.
The Working Group undertakes a number of duties, including drafting legal instruments to protect the rights of older persons and people with disabilities, and studying and publishing research on relevant human rights situations and conditions.
Drafting Legal Instruments
The Working Group is responsible for drafting legal instruments that provide Member States with guidelines on how to protect the rights of older persons and people with disabilities. The Working Group has drafted and finalized the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human ad Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa. See, e.g., Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, Intersession Activity Report of Commissioner Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen in his Joint Capacity as Commissioner and Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, Intersession Activity Report, 54th Ordinary Session (2013).
The Working Group has also drafted the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa. See, e.g., id. In April 2014, the Working Group invited comments on the draft before its finalization. See ACommHPR, Comments Invited on Draft Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, News Release, 2 April 2014.
Studying Human Rights Conditions and Situations
The Working Group’s mandate requires it to collect data on older persons and people with disabilities, so that their rights may be properly mainstreamed in Member States’ domestic policies and development programs.
The Working Group conducts research on the human rights of older persons and people with disabilities, and engages in brainstorming sessions on how to best effectuate their rights. The Chairperson has also contributed to publications on the rights of older persons and people with disabilities. See Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, Report of the Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, Intersession Activity Report, 52nd Ordinary Session (2012).
Working Group members also research and prepare relevant concept papers that have influenced the drafting of legal instruments. See, e.g., Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, Intersession Activity Report of Commissioner YKJ Yeung Sik Yuen in his Joint Capacity as Commissioner and Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, Intersession Activity Report, 51st Ordinary Session (2012).
RECEIVING INFORMATION
The Working Group is responsible for seeking and receiving information from individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions, and other stakeholders concerning cases or situations that involve the rights of older persons or people with disabilities.
Along with information gathered from such actors, the Working Group disseminates and obtains information through promotional activities, including panels, seminars, and expert meetings. The Working Group has coordinated these activities with other relevant Working Groups under the United Nations. See, e.g., Yeung Kam John Yeung Sik Yuen, Intersession Activity Report of Commissioner Yeung Kam John Keyung Sik Yuen in his Joint Capacity as Commissioner and Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa, Intersession Activity Report, 54th Ordinary Session (2013).
On the basis of information received, the Working Group may raise awareness of an issue in its reports, press releases, or other activities.
ACTIVITY REPORTS
The Working Group submits Intersession Activity Reports to the Commission each year, which outline the activities the Working Group has undertaken. The Commission also prepares an annual Activity Report that it submits to the African Union Assembly, which includes information gathered from the Working Group, summarizing positive developments and areas of concern regarding human rights in Africa.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Working Group may be contacted by:
- Mail:
Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region P.O. Box 673 Banjul
The Gambia
- Email: The Working Group’s website contains an automated system to send the Chairperson emails, by selecting the “Contact Commissioner” link.
The Working Group does not accept individual complaints or requests for provisional measures. Such communications must be addressed to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. For additional information, see the Commission’s Guidelines for the Submission of Communications or IJRC’s resources on the African human rights system.