About the Programme_
It is 25 years since the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was adopted yet the principles and standards contained in the Charter are not only poorly understood, but also all-too-often violated in many countries across the continent. Working together with local partners, INTERIGHTS’ Africa Programme has sought to strengthen the protection mechanisms of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, particularly in the areas of economic and social rights, liberty and security, and violence against women. It has also played a leading role in supporting the creation of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights which was finally established in July 2006. At the same time INTERIGHTS has provided advice at the local and regional level and has brought cases to the African Commission, the United Nations Human Rights Committee and some sub-regional courts concerning violations of the rights of individuals.
Announcements_
Historic Slavery Case against NigerNiger has been found responsible of failing to protect Hadijatou Mani from slavery. The judgment was delivered in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Monday 27 October by the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). More information as well as an analysis of the judgment is available at the link below.
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African Commission Requests Stay of Execution in Taba Bombings CaseThe African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has requested the government of Egypt to stay the execution of three men allegedly involved in bombing the Red Sea resorts of Taba and Noueiba in October 2004.
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Litigation_
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights will soon announce a ruling in the case of Kenneth Good, an Australian academic expelled from Botswana for producing work critical of the Botswanan government.
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Capacity Building and Standard Setting_
INTERIGHTS held a strategic litigation seminar in Mombasa, Kenya between 29 April - 2 May 2009 to build the legal capacity of lawyers conducting strategic litigation in women’s human rights.
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African Justice Ministers have formally adopted a single legal instrument to create an African Court of Justice and Human Rights, at the July 2008 AU Summit. The ‘Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights’ has resulted from the merger of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and the Court of Justice of the African Union.
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The annual Activity Reports of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights are now available.
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The Coalition for an Effective African Court has written to the African Union expressing its grave concerns and calling on the Assembly of Heads of State and Government to re-address the issue of individual access to the African Court.
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