3. Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa Mandate 1. In accordance with its mandate under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (The Commission) hereby establishes the position of Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa. 2. The Special Rapporteur is empowered to examine the situation of persons deprived of their liberty within the territories of States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Methods of work The Special Rapporteur shall 3.1 examine the state of the prisons and conditions of detention in Africa and make recommendations with a view to improving them; 3.2 advocate adherence to the Charter and international human rights norms and standards concerning the rights and conditions of persons deprived of their liberty, examine the relevant national law and regulations in the respective States Parties as well as their implementation and make appropriate recommendations on their conformity with the Charter and with international law and standards; 3.3 at the request of the Commission, make recommendations to it as regards communications filed by individuals who have been deprived of their liberty, their families, representatives, by NGOs or other concerned persons or institutions; 3.4 Propose appropriate urgent action. 4. The Special Rapporteur shall conduct studies into conditions or situations contributing to human rights violations of prisons deprived of their liberty and recommend preventive measures. The Special Rapporteur shall co-ordinate activities with other relevant Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups of the African Commission and United Nations. 5. The Special Rapporteur shall submit an annual report to the Commission. The report shall be published and widely disseminated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter. 54 Report of the Mission of the Special Rapporteur on Prisons to Ethiopia 15 – 29 March 2004