Presentation to Africa’s Human Rights body
Alliance members Guy Berger and Hlengiwe Dube were invited to present expert views on the draft African guidelines on data access on Saturday 7 March, during the 80th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
In a remote presentation, the pair reported on the work of Alliance in organising 29 consultations in follow-up to the Commission’s Resolution 620. They explained how this process fed into the version of draft Guidelines tabled by Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy Sonoo, who is the Special Rapporter for Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.
A summary of the Guidelines followed, highlighting how these practical proposals built upon Resolution 620.
The presenters noted that the Guidelines, once finalised and adopted, could also enrich the Commission’s own process on reviewing the 2013 Model Law on Access to Information.
Their presentation also suggested that the ACHPR consider opening up a further three month consultation period, in order to collect additional comments to inform a final draft version of the Guidelines to be considered for adoption later this year.
During the hour-long discussion, several Commissioners took the floor and offered their own comments on the Guidelines. The Rapporteur concluded by thanking the two Alliance presenters for their inputs, and the Alliance for its work in helping to reach this point.
The decision of the meeting will be made known in due course.
