Arusha, 28 March 2024: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR), in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), this week undertook a specialized training on the interplay between International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
The training aimed at empowering legal officers with necessary expertise required to navigate legal complexities when handling human rights cases arising in the situations of armed conflict.
The 3-day training held in Moshi, Tanzania drew together all legal officers of the Court, alongside experts from the ICRC country office in Tanzania and the Regional Delegation to East Africa and graced by the presence of Hon. Lady Justice Imani D. Aboud, the President of the Court, who in her opening address, emphasized the importance of the training for the Court in equipping staff with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges presented by contemporary conflicts to the protection of human rights.
In his opening remarks, Dr Robert Eno, the Registrar of the Court, also stressed the significance of the training, highlighting its timeliness and relevance. He emphasized that the training coincides with the Court’s commitment to upholding excellence and quality in the administration and interpretation of justice, especially in light of the rigorous pursuit of justice across all petitions received.
“Recent developments have seen the Court confronted with petitions involving disputes between States but also alleging human rights violations in the context of armed conflicts. This new reality has highlighted the imperative of the Court possessing a good and solid understanding of international humanitarian law and the latter’s interplay with international human rights law, to effectively navigate these intricate issues,” he said.
The Head of Legal Division of the Court, Dr. Sègnonna Horace Adjolohoun also highlighted that the training was critical in enhancing the overall capacity of the Court’s legal officers not just in dealing with the current issues that arise from the received petitions but also from potential future applications.
He noted that all the legal officers of the Court would put to great use, the knowledge and expertise acquired during the training as it also challenged them to apply a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex legal challenges.
The training employed a combination of interactive lectures by experts, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises. Participants also engaged in hands-on activities to reinforce their understanding and application of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law principles.
Practical applications and cases studies at the training were tailored to the African context, to ensure relevance and relatability.
Some areas covered under the two focus topics included the right to life, the right to liberty and detention, children in armed conflict situations, derogations, reparations.
Since its establishment, the African Court has adjudicated on multiple human rights cases, issuing judgments that have significantly shaped the normative framework of the African human rights system.
The Court has received 342 cases and delivered over 200 decisions including judgments, rulings and also advisory opinions.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and People’s Rights is a continental Court established by African countries to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
- The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.
- The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
