Arusha, 17 September 2024: The African Court on Human and Peoples Rights (the Court/AfCHPR), the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), and the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS (CCJ) will convene for their 2nd Tripartite Judicial Dialogue, from 18 to 20 September 2024, in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
The Second Tripartite Judicial Dialogue builds on the First Tripartite Judicial Dialogue which aimed at enhancing cooperation among Africa’s Continental and Regional Courts. The 1st Tripartite Judicial dialogue took place from 27-29 June, 2022, in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. During the event, the three Courts agreed to hold such Dialogue every two years.
The Second Tripartite Judicial Dialogue will be held under the theme “Enhancing cooperation between Continental and Regional courts in Africa”, marking the continuation of the vital collaboration established through the bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three Courts.
Under these agreements, the three Courts, committed to holding regular consultative forums to discuss common challenges and strengthen cooperation, endorsing the continuous exchange of information and expertise.
The Judicial Dialogue serves as a platform for the exchange of best practices and experiences in justice delivery, such as case management and jurisprudence, while advancing the harmonious application and interpretation of international human rights standards.
By bringing together Judges and legal experts from these esteemed institutions, alongside representatives from regional bodies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, the Dialogue will provide a platform for exchanging ideas, discuss common challenges, innovative solutions, and the advancement of justice on the continent.
The Judicial Dialogue will cover a range of topics, including the Right to Education in line with African Union’s theme of 2024, Human Rights and the Environment, Financing of the International Courts and undertake a stock-taking of the implementation of resolutions of the 1st Tripartite Judicial Dialogue.
The Dialogue explores ways to build or improve cooperation between the three Courts and other Continental and Regional Human Rights Courts, as well as international tribunals like the UN Treaty Bodies.
The three Courts, have collaborated with a number of Partners, notably, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Humanitarian and Human Rights Law (RWI), Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
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 complements the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and aims to enhance the protection of human rights on the African continent. 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. www.african-court.org
- The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. The Court was established in November 2001, its key mandate is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty. Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court’s sub-registries are located in the capitals of the following Partner States: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania. www.eacj.org
- The ECOWAS Court of Justice is an organ of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional integration community consisting of 15 member states in West Africa. While ECOWAS was founded in 1975 by the Treaty of Lagos, the Court of Justice was established in 1991 through the adoption of the Protocol on the Community Court of Justice. The Court of Justice is an institution of ECOWAS as outlined in the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993. The Protocol was amended in 2005 expanding the Court’s jurisdiction to include human rights claims by individuals. www.courtecowas.org
Further information on the Courts can be obtained from: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar, African Court: Robert.Eno@african-court.org
Ms Christine Mutimura, Acting Registrar, East African Court of Justice: cmwekesa@eachq.org
Dr. Yaouza OURO-SAMA, Chief Registrar, the Community Court of ECOWAS: registry@courtecowas.org
For media & communication inquiries:
Chipiliro Kansilanga: Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org
Pasca Chesach pasca.chesach@rwi.lu.se
Annah Nabaasa: anabaasa@eachq.org
Felicien Hounkanrin: fhounkanrin@courtecowas.org
