The 47th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) started its work in Banjul on May 12, 2010.

The Committee, in addition to performing such other duties that may be entrusted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government, is officially directed to the protection, the promotion of human and peoples’ rights and to the interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

During these sessions, the examination of State reports, the review of communications, reports from the members and special mechanisms, the Committee on Relations with the National Human Rights Institutions in (NHRIs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the situation of human rights in Africa and others are presented.

But as a prelude to the session which continues till May 26,2010, the NGO’s Forum and the twenty-first Book Fair on Human and Peoples' Rights were open Saturday, May 8 by the Gambian Minister of Justice, Mr. Edward Gomez who said he was sure that the meeting will pave the way for "fruitful deliberations that will lead to the formulation of strategies worthy to advance the process of ensuring respect for human dignity, human rights and the process of democratization on the continent.
The resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Forum will be submitted to the Commission at its session.

Previous to the 47th session, the West African Human Rights Defenders Network (ROADDH / WAHRDN) with his observer status by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) participated to the preparation of NGO's Forum from May 8 to10, 2010 in Banjul. In his presentation, the Coordinator of the WAHRDN Mr. Diallo Abdoul GADIRY pointed out to violations of fundamental rights of citizens in most of West African countries.