Arusha,01 April 2022: The President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Hon Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud will lead a strong six-member delegation of the Court to the Union of the Comoros on a two-day sensitisation mission next week.
‘’ The mission is with a view to raising awareness of the the Pan African Judicial Organ and to encourage the Union of the Comoros to deposit the Special Declaration to allow individuals and others to access the Court directly,’’ stressed Hon Lady Justice Imani.
The delegation includes the Court’s Vice President Hon Justice Blaise Tchikaya, Deputy Registrar Nouhou Diallo and key Registry staff.
The Comoros acceded to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 23 December 2013 but is yet to make the Special Declaration under Article 34(6).
The States that have deposited the Declarations so far are eight out of 33 State Parties to the Protocol and out of 55 AU Member States.
The eight countries are Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mali, Niger and Tunisia.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights was established by virtue of Article 1 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to complement the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, with a view to enhancing the protection of human rights on the continent.
2. The success of the Court as a human rights protection mechanism requires a wider ratification of the Protocol by Member States, as well as their acceptance of the competence of the Court, by making the declaration under Article 34(6). This “universal” ratification will give the Court the legitimacy it needs to effectively discharge its mandate.
3. The main objective of the sensitisation visits is to enhance the protection of human rights in Africa. Specific objectives include raising awareness about the Court; encouraging the ratification of the Protocol and deposit of the Declaration that allows individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court; sensitising would-be applicants on how to access the Court and the procedures before the Court; encouraging the public to utilise the Court in settling human rights disputes and encouraging the utilisation of the Court for advisory opinions.
4. The Court is composed of 11 Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.
5. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold an Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from the Court’s website at www.african-court.org.
For more comments: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar
Email: Robert.Eno@african-court.org
For Media inquiries: AfricanCourtMedia@african-court.org
