This article looks critically at the law, and the practice so far developed by the Commission, in relation to the procedure under the African Charter on human and peoples' rights for examining communications initiated by non-state entities (non-state or individual communications). This article will focus chiefly on how the Commission interpreted and operated those provisions of the Charter and of its own rules of procedure that govern these communications. Where necessary, reference will be made to the practice of other international or regional human rights institutions for comparative purposes. In appropriate cases, the article will also offer a critique of the decisions discussed and possible recommendations as to how the work of the Commission in the consideration of individual communications can be improved. This article is based on information on the work of the Commission available at the beginning of 1997, although every effort has been made to incorporate relevant developments occurring after this.