Arusha, 17 July 2023: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights will undertake a three-day sensitisation visit to the Republic of Kenya from 18 to 20 July 2023.
Led by the Court’s President, Honourable Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, the mission includes the Vice President, Honourable Justice Sacko Modibo, the Registrar, Dr Robert Eno and key Registry staff.
The objective of the Court’s visit , according to Honourable Lady Justice Aboud, is to, among others, encourage the Republic of Kenya to deposit the Declaration that allows individuals to access the Court directly.
She emphasised that the Court’s success as a continental mechanism for human rights protection, established by the African Union Member States themselves, depends on wider acceptance and recognition of its work by African countries.
Honourable Lady Justice Aboud stressed that, “This universal acceptance and recognition will provide the Court with the legitimacy it needs to effectively fulfill its mandate.”
During the mission, the Court delegation is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on various dignitaries, including the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto; the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Honourable Lady Justice Martha Koome; the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honourable Dr. Moses Wetangula; the Speaker of the Senate, the Right Honourable Amason Jeffah Kingi, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Honourable Dr. Alfred Mutua the Attorney General, Honourable Justin B.N. Muturi;and the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Honourable Roseline Odede.
This sensitisation visit to the Republic of Kenya marks a significant step, as the Court had previously undertaken a similar visit ten years ago in July 2013.
The Republic of Kenya became a State Party 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 18 February 2005 but is yet to deposit the Declaration under Article 34(6) of this Protocol, allowing individuals and Non-Governmental Organisationss direct access to the Court.
Currently, the following States have deposited the Declaration allowing individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court: Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mali, Niger and Tunisia.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
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. Its complements the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to enhance human rights protection on the continent.
The primary objective of these sensitization visits is to enhance the protection of human rights in Africa. Specific objectives include raising awareness about the Court, encouraging ratification of the Protocol and deposit of the Declaration to grant individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court, educating potential applicants on accessing the Court and its procedures, promoting public utilization of the Court for settling human rights disputes, and encouraging the Court’s utilization for advisory opinions.
The Court is composed of 11 Judges who are nationals of Member States of the African Union, elected in their individual capacity.
The Court convenes four Ordinary Sessions per year and may also hold Extraordinary Sessions.
For further information on the Court, please visit the Court’s website at
www.african-court.org.
For additional comments, contact:
Dr. Robert Eno, Registrar
Tel: +255 272970430/31/32
Email: Robert.Eno@african-court.org
For media inquiries, contact:
AfricanCourtMedia@african-court.org