The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) have released the Communiqué, Guidelines on the Submission and Transfer of Cases adopted during their Second Complementarity Retreat, held from 2-3 June in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
As part of the dissemination of outcomes, a Highlights Video has also been produced to visually capture the key messages, exchanges and collaborative spirit that defined the retreat.
The documents capture the shared vision of the two African Union human rights organs to deepen cooperation and enhance the efficiency of the continental human rights system. They outline practical steps for implementing the Complementarity Roadmap (2023–2028) and consolidating achievements under their collaborative framework.
Among the highlights, the Communiqué records decisions to:
- Extend the Complementarity Roadmap to 2028, integrating complementarity objectives into each institution’s upcoming Strategic Plans (2026–2028);
- Renew the Framework for Staff Exchange, first signed in 2022, to continue fostering institutional learning and collaboration;
- Advance the creation of the African Jurisprudence Database (AJUDATA) as a shared repository of jurisprudence and legal references;
- Jointly mobilize support for the appointment of an AU Champion for Human and Peoples’ Rights and the operationalization of the AU Legal Aid Fund; and
- Develop promotional materials and shared tools to enhance engagement with States and monitor the implementation of decisions.
The newly adopted Guidelines on the Submission and Transfer of Cases formalize agreed procedures between the Court and the Commission, setting out clear considerations and criteria for case handling and coordination. The Guidelines also provide a framework for follow-up on the implementation of decisions, thereby reinforcing complementarity in practice.
The Court and the Commission reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Member States, AU organs and other key actors to ensure a stronger, more coherent and effective African human rights system.
