The Eighth Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) later this year, is to focus on Human Rights in Africa, as a result of recommendations from a report on Justice and Human Rights, BuaNews reports.

Parliamentarians on Wednesday and Thursday examined seven committee reports, including that of Justice and Human Rights.

“Based on these recommendations, the Committee resolved that the House should adopt the subject on Human Rights in Africa as the main topic of discussion during the Eighth Ordinary Session of the PAP later this year to enable the AU and all its relevant institutions such PAP to address the human rights situation in Africa,” the PAP said in a statement.

In its report, the committee resolved that conflicts and armed disputes constitute a real threat to human rights, peace and security and development efforts in Africa.

It then called on the Parliament to pay special attention and give priority to human rights in Africa, especially in Darfur, the Great Lakes Region, Chad and Western Sahara.

The report of the Committee also resolved that the PAP has to assist in establishing the position of a Human Rights Desk Officer, to perform functions such as compiling an annual list of countries planning to hold elections.

The Human Rights Desk Officer would also need to develop a mechanism for early warning signs on conflict and violation of human rights, and compile a list of member states that have ratified relevant Protocols and Conventions.

The report also pointed out that missions are to be sent to countries that have human rights problems, and also proposed deploying election observer missions to Mali and Kenya.

However, PAP President Gertrude Mongella warned the parliamentarians to show more commitment to being present at committee meetings.

Mongella further warned those who were “too busy to sit in Committees to make way for elections for other members who can have time to take their place.”

The report itself was criticised for a lack of detail, accompanied by complaints from other MPs about “its shallowness in regard to the situation of human rights abuse on the continent.” - BuaNews