THEME: ADVANCING JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTEGRATING REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS JURISPRUDENCE IN DOMESTIC COURTS
- Your Excellency Secretary General of the Minister of Justice, Regaz Mohamad;
- Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
- Presidents of Domestic Courts;
- Mr. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
- Ms. Anne Musiwa, Vice-Chair of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;
- Your Lordships, Justices of the African Court,
- President Mohamed Abderrahmane Saiboutt, President of the Arab Maghreb Union Court;
- Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court, represented by Honourable Ricardo Claudio Mentero Golclaves, Justice of the ECOWAS Court;
- Mr. Marcel Clement Akpovo, Head of the East Africa Regional Office under the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, representing the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
- Your Lordships, Former Presidents and Former Justices of the African Court;
- Justice Laraba Moussa, Permanent Secretary General of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa;
- Registrars and Deputy Registrars;
- Distinguished Representatives of Civil Society and International Organizations;
- Members of Academia and the Media;
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
- All protocols duly and respectfully observed
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In referring to the diversity of Algeria’s cultural and geographical landscape, the famous writer and philosopher Albert Camus once made the following statement:
“Algeria is not a country, it is a world.”
Over the past three days, here in Algiers, we have witnessed a convening of diverse cultures from all over the world, particularly, the African continent, portrayed by the judicial fraternity consisting of presidents of Supreme Courts, Constitutional Courts, esteemed Judges, representatives of over 30 Member States of the African Union, and over one hundred and fifty (150) participants.
Indeed, the Court is delighted that you, my brothers and sisters, have elected to devote your time to this Dialogue, despite your busy schedules. On behalf of my esteemed sister, Honourable Lady Justice Imani Aboud, President of the African Court, on behalf of all the Honourable Justices of the Court, and indeed on my own behalf, I express our sincere gratitude to each one of you for your immeasurable contributions, your inspiring ideas, and your unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, collaboration, and camaraderie.
Distinguished Guests,
Over the past few days, we have examined the state of implementation of recommendations made during previous judicial dialogues and reviewed the role and importance of regional and international human rights jurisprudence. We have also discussed the challenges faced by domestic courts in integrating human rights jurisprudence. Furthermore, we have discussed best practices in the application of regional and international human rights standards and the strengthening of cooperation and collaboration between regional and domestic courts.
Our discussions have also focused on capacity building and professional development for judges and legal practitioners; as well as the ratification and domestication of regional and international human rights instruments in Africa. Finally, we have shared our experiences, as regards emerging jurisprudence and justiciability of economic, social, and cultural rights.
Distinguished Guests,
The wise Maya Angelou once said:
“In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength”.
The institutionalization of the Judicial Dialogue is a testament to the challenges that we can overcome if we work together despite our diverse backgrounds, because, in the end, we will always make resolutions and will always strive to implement such resolutions. Thus, it is fair to state that our strength lies in our collective but diverse backgrounds and our different legal systems.
The Judicial Dialogue is further proof of the unlimited potential of international, regional, and national collaboration. Transcending judicial, geographical, cultural, and disciplinary barriers, we have fostered a spirit of camaraderie, which is a hallmark of the judicial fraternity in carrying out its activities, as we support each other to defend and advance justice and human rights. We have gained new perspectives on crucial global issues at this very important event.
Excellencies,
As a culmination to this momentous occasion, it is with great pleasure, that this esteemed gathering has this afternoon, witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between the epex Courts of Sao Tome, Cape Verde and Mozambique, making a total of four (4) MoUs which the Court has signed with national judiciaries, following the signature with the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia in 2022. These MoUs are designed to streamline and to enhance collaboration between the Court and national judiciaries. I therefore, take this opportunity to encourage the national judiciaries which have not done so to also sign an MoU of collaboration with the Court.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As our meeting draws to a close, I urge us to continue in the spirit of this Dialogue. Let us channel the knowledge and inspiration that we have gained into action. Let us continue to build bridges, nurture partnerships, and push back the frontiers of knowledge for the good of humanity.
I would like to seize this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the resource persons and distinguished speakers who have shared their knowledge and experience, enlightening us with their insights and inspiring us with their dedication to upholding the principles of justice. Your contributions, Ladies and Gentlemen, have enriched our understanding, which will enable us to strive for excellence in our respective roles.
I would also like to thank the interpreters and translators, without whom we would not be able to communicate effectively. I extend hearty appreciation to the Justices of the African Court and the dedicated Staff of the African Court who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the Dialogue is a success. Finally, I would also like to seize the opportunity to thank our partners, the European Union, GIZ, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for all the support that they have given us.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my wish that we leave this Dialogue with a renewed sense of purpose, a commitment to collaboration and an unwavering determination to make a positive impact in our respective fields and communities. May the links forged here be sustained and the knowledge shared continue to inspire us in our individual and collective endeavours.
It would be remiss of me if I closed this Dialogue without expressing my sincere gratitude to our generous Host, the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, for extending such great courtesy to the Court, and for agreeing to host not only the 6th Dialogue, but also the Court’s 71st Session.
My dear brothers and sisters, distinguished guests, I thank you, once again, for your valuable contributions, and wish you a safe journey back to your respective destinations, and continued success in all your future endeavors.
Thank you, Merci, Shukran, Obrigado, Gracias, Asanteni
Honourable Justice Modibo Sacko (Ph.D.)
Vice-President of the African Court