Arusha, 11 September 2024: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Court/AfCHPR) has concluded a two-day public hearing in Centre for Human Rights and others v. United Republic of Tanzania (Application No 019/2018), a case involving alleged violations of human rights of persons with albinism in the United Republic of Tanzania.
The case, brought by the Centre for Human Rights, Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa and Legal and Human Rights Centre, alleges massive and serious violations of the rights of persons with albinism, including threats to their safety, persecution and humiliation, in particular, through attacks, killings, mutilations as a result of inadequate state protection.
The hearing featured testimonies from witnesses adduced by the Applicants who recounted their experiences and incidents of harassment, violent assaults and social exclusion and marginalization they have endured.
Testimonies were also provided by the Respondent State’s witnesses on the measures that it has undertaken in the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with albinism including prosecution, conviction and sentencing of perpetrators, distribution of sunscreen and wide hats to PWAs, and provision of assistive learning devices to children with albinism such as books with larger print and magnifying glasses.
The Applicants argued that the United Republic of Tanzania, as the Respondent State, has not adequately fulfilled its obligations to safeguard the rights of persons with albinism as stipulated under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other international human rights treaties.
The Respondent State refuted the claims, asserting that significant measures have been taken to safeguard the rights of persons with albinism citing several measures, including legal protections, public awareness campaigns and enhanced security efforts. The government maintains that it has acted swiftly and effectively to address the concerns raised and to safeguard the rights of persons with albinism.
The amici curiae (friend of the Court) who are independent experts on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism and who included the current and former United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism provided expert observations on the rights to health and education of persons with albinism.
The Court, having heard the submissions from both the Applicants and the Respondent State, will now enter the deliberation phase. The judgment is expected to be delivered on a date to be announced in due course.
Members of the general public, human rights observers, interested parties and media outlets attended the Public Hearing on 10th and 11th September 2024 at the seat of the Court in Arusha, Tanzania.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and People’s Rights is a continental Court established by Member States of the African Union 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.
- The Court’s mandate includes hearing cases and disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as any other human rights instrument ratified by the concerned States.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from www.african-court.org
For further inquiries: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar – Robert.Eno@african-court.org
For media inquiries: Chipiliro Kansilanga – Senior Information & Communication Officer – Head of Communication Unit Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org or AfricanCourtMedia@african-court.org
