It is over 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,we have 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. We have also played a leading role in supporting the creation of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights which was 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.
Africa
About Our Work_
Latest INTERIGHTS News_
Internship for Security and the Rule of Law Lawyer
INTERIGHTS is seeking applications from lawyers working on security and the rule of law issues, for an internship as part of the development and implementation of its work in Africa. The six month internship will begin in early May 2012.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa
INTERIGHTS is pleased to announce that the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) will formally launch its Principles and Guidelines on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Reporting Guidelines on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights during its 50th ordinary session in Banjul, the Gambia from 24 October to 7 November 2011.
Litigation_
Libya and Egypt
INTERIGHTS, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights and Human Rights Watch submitted a request to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 24 February 2011 regarding the ongoing serious human rights violations taking place in Libya. We also wrote to the Commission with EIPR on 1 February 2011 about the situation in Egypt.
Post election violence in Cameroon
On 2 September 2011 INTERIGHTS wrote to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation in the Directorate of Political Affairs in Cameroon to follow up on implementation in Association of Victims of Post Electoral Violence & INTERIGHTS v Cameroon. It is now almost two years since the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights decision, but it is yet to be implemented. Our letter respectfully draws the non-implementation of this decision to the Government’s attention and suggests proposals for the final resolution of this matter.
Historic slavery case against Niger
Niger has been found responsible of failing to protect Hadijatou Mani from slavery. The judgment was delivered in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on 27 October 2008 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.
African Commission Requests Stay of Execution in Taba Bombings Case
The 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.
Botswana's immigration legislation inconsistent with international human rights law
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights has issued its decision in the case of Kenneth Good, an Australian academic expelled from Botswana for producing work critical of the Botswanan Government.
Capacity Building and Standard Setting_
Strategic Litigation of Women's Human Rights in Africa
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.
African Commission Annual Activity Reports
The annual Activity Reports of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights are now available.
48th Session of the African Commisison on Human and Peoples' Rights
INTERIGHTS made a statement in the public session of the session regarding implementation of decisions and the refusal by the Commission to give the Coalition of African Lesbians observer status.
Right to Education: Meetings in Tanzania in January 2011 and Cape Town in March 2010
Between 23 and 25 March 2010, INTERIGHTS held a three-day consultative meeting focusing on the legal enforcement of the right to education in Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.
New African Human Rights Court Excises Right of Individual Petition
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.
African Union adopts the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights
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.