Sensitization Visit of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights to the Republic of Mozambique

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Court) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and the Mozambique Bar Association, organized, from 24- 25-26 August 2011, a sensitization visit to Mozambique culminating in a half day sensitization seminar for human rights organizations in Mozambique, on 26 August 2011, in Maputo, Mozambique. The main objective of the sensitization mission was to raise awareness about the Court, among human rights actors in Mozambique, and in the process, request the government of the Republic of Mozambique to consider the possibility of depositing the declaration allowing individuals and NGOs to access the Court. 

The delegation of the Court was composed of Honorable Justice Gerard Niyungeko, President of the Court, Honorable Justice Augustino S. L. Ramadhani, Judge of the Court and Honorable Justice Duncan Tambala, Judge of the Court assisted by four staff members of the Registry.

Click here to view the programme for the sensitization visit

The visit commenced with the payment of courtesy calls on the President of the Supreme Court, H.E President of the Republic of Mozambique, The Speaker of Parliament, The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

At each courtesy call, the President gave a briefing on the purpose of the visit; the background of the Court, and made or reiterated three requests:

1.    That Mozambique considers the possibility of making the declaration allowing individuals and NGO’s to access the Court;

2.    That Mozambique considers utilizing the Court’s advisory jurisdiction; and

3.    That Mozambique continues to support the Court within the policy organs of the African Union

The Court delegation was well received, and all the various highest political authorities visited assured the Court of their support. They further undertook to consider the possibility of making the declaration or seeking advisory opinion of the Court, or to initiate or encourage discussion and re-examination of Mozambique’s position thereon.

The visit culminated with a half day sensitization seminar for human rights stakeholders which was held at the Avenida Hotel, Maputo on 26 August 2011. The seminar was very well attended by a cross section of human rights and similar organizations based in Mozambique, including members of the Judiciary, Senior Government Officials, Representatives of the Mozambique Bar Association, Members of the Mozambique various media organisations, Non-governmental organizations, Academic institutions; under the theme:  ‘the African Court on Human and People’ Rights – Your New Partner in Human Rights in Africa’.

The seminar was officially opened by Honorable Maria Benvinda Levi, Minister of Justice of the  Republic of Mozambique. Other speakers at the opening ceremony included, Hon. Justice Augustino S. L. Ramadhani, Judge of the Court and Mr Delfim De Deus Junior, Vice-President of the Mozambique Bar Association.

Click here to view the opening speech by Honorable Justice Augustino Ramadhani.

Click here to view the speech by Hon. Maria Benvinda Levi, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Mozambique.

Click here to view the welcome remarks by the Vice-President of the Mozambique Bar Association, Mr Delfim De Deus Junior.

Click here to view the Closing remarks by Honorable Justice Gerard Niyungeko President of the Court.

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