Recommendations on African peer review mechanism

Jurisdiction: African Regional Bodies · African Union (AU)
Regional Body / Author: Pan-African Parliament
Date: 23 October 2014
Language: English
Type: Recommendation
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African Union

Recommendations on African peer review mechanism

Published on 23 October 2014
Commenced
[This is the version of this document from 23 October 2014.]

Cognizant of the fact that we can make the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) more effective through our greater involvement in APRM processes and by providing an oversight role in the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), at national, regional and continental levels;Aware that the majority of African Union members have acceded to the APRM, and a significant number have completed their first reviews;Desirous to strengthen the APRM, and, as a result, contribute to improving governance in Africa;

The Pan-African Parliament recommends that:

1.Create and increase awareness of the APRM in National Parliaments and among constituents;

2.Ensure that there is sufficient budgetary allocation for the APRM in the National Budget;

3.Provide a clear framework of direct parliamentary participation through committees on the APRM;

4.Ensure that the APRM is located in a relevant Ministry in order to best enhance national development;

5.Domesticate, through legislation, the APRM process so that implementation is enhanced;

6.Ensure public participation in the APRM process;

7.Ensure access by parliament to other countries’ reviews;

8.Table reports (including Country Review Reports and Progress Reports) on APRM in Parliament.

9.Become fully engaged with the APRM processes, with special focus given to the monitoring of the implementation of NPoAs;

10.Recommend that the Bureau of PAP should designate an appropriate Committee as the focal point for oversight of the APRM within PAP or Regional Economic Community (REC) structures, including a structured way of receiving and discussing reports;

11.Be available to participate in APR Country Review Missions (CRMs) and related APRM study tour missions;

12.Exercise our mandate to receive full periodic briefings on the progress of the APRM from the APRM Secretariat, and make recommendations for improvement of the process at all levels;

13.Develop a model law and framework of engagement in the APRM for member countries;

14.Establish a technical partnership with relevant partners, including the Continental APRM Secretariat, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the African Regional Office of the Open Society Foundations (AfRO) and other organisations to enhance the capacity to carry out this work.

15.Establish an APRM network in accordance with the recommendations of the Public Dialogue held between PAP and Civil Society.

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