HRC boss retains top continental position

Rwanda’s Zainabu Kayitesi has been re-elected to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), a quasi-judicial body tasked with promoting and protecting human rights on the African continent. Kayitesi is the chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights. Her re-election took place during the recent 13th Ordinary session of the African Union Summit held in Syrte, Libya. “This is something I received very well, it is a good job protecting and promoting human rights and I am happy since my re-election, again, shows that they have trust in my country,” Kayitesi said yesterday. According to a communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kayitesi’s re-election was endorsed by all representatives from the East African Community. “I am happy also since this shows that they appreciated the job. I have been there before and this is my second term.” The Executive Council elected Kayitesi on the first round after she got the required two thirds majority – 38 out of 42 votes, along with Egypt’s Mohammed Fayek (32/42) and Tunisia’s Mohamed Bechir Khalfallah. The body is made up of eleven members, elected through secret ballot at the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The members serve six-year renewable terms and are chosen from amongst African personalities of the highest reputation, known for their high morality, integrity, impartiality and competence in matters of human and peoples’ rights. The members then choose, from among themselves, a chairperson and a Vice Chairperson. Kayitesi holds a degree in law from the National University of Rwanda and has been strongly committed to the rights of women and children in Rwanda. Also a former Minister of Public Service and Labour, Kayitesi was in 2007 elected as head of the Network of African National Institutes for Human Rights. Ends