ANNEXURE 4A: Standard Format for the Submission of Communications to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights There is no hard and fast rule or format for the submission of communications to the African Commission, but the following simplified guidelines will make it much easier for would-be complainants to submit their communications. The guidelines are in two categories: (inter-State communications) and other (or individual communications) (A) Guidelines on how to submit communication under article 48 and 49 (Communications from States) 1. Complaining State(s) (should state amongst other things, its name, official language, and year in which it ratified the Charter). 2. State Party accused of the violation (state the year the State ratified the African Charter, its official language). 3. Facts constituting the violation (Please explain in as much a factual detail as possible what happened, specifying place, time and dates of the violation, if possible). 4. Exhaustion of local remedies (indicate measures that have been taken to resolve the matter amicable why this measure failed, or why it wasn't used at all. Also indicate measures taken to exhaust local remedies. Please attach all relevant documents). 5. Domestic legal remedies not yet pursued (please give reasons why this has not been done). 6. Other International avenues (state whether the case has also been referred to any other international settlement body either at the UN or within the OAU system). 7. Complaints submitted to the Secretary General of the OAU and to the accused State. These complaint letters should be accompanied by any response from these two sources. (B) Guidelines on how to submit a communication pursuant to article 5 of the Charter (other communications) 1. Complainant (s) (please indicate whether you are acting on your behalf or on behalf of someone else. Also indicate in your communication whether you are an NGO and whether you wish to remain anonymous). Name ………………………………………………………………. Age …………………………………………………………………. Nationality …………………………………………………………. Occupation and/or Profession …………………..……………… Address …………………………………………………………… Discrimination against Women in the Armed Conflict in Colombia, OEA/Ser/L/V/II.124/Doc.6, October 18, 2006, para. 140; IACHR, Access to Justice for Women Victims of Violence in the Americas, Inter-Am. C.H.R., OEA/Ser.L/V/II, Doc. 68 (20 January 2007), para. 272; CEDAW Committee, General Recommendation 25, on Temporary Special Measures, UN Doc./CEDAW/C/2004/I/WP.1/Rev.1 (2004), section II, para. 12. 40 REGIONAL MECHANISMS | REDRESS