Arusha, 21 September 2024: The 2nd Tripartite Judicial Dialogue bringing together 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) took place from 18 to 20 September 2024, in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
The Dialogue which was held under the theme “Enhancing Cooperation between Continental and Regional Courts in Africa” covered 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.
Addressing the Dialogue, Hon. Justice Modibo Sacko, Vice President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights underscored the need for sustainable funding for Regional and Sub-regional Courts in Africa, as it is critical to ensuring the independence, effectiveness, and sustainability of the judicial institutions.
“Adequate financial, human and technological resources enable courts to carry out their mandates without political interference, enhancing their capacity to uphold justice, protect human rights, and promote the rule of law across the continent. Ultimately it also fosters greater public trust in the judicial system and enhancing accountability among legal institutions,” he said.
On his part, Hon. Justice Gberi-be Ouattara, Vice President of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, highlighted that the Dialogue has laid the groundwork for collaborative efforts that will not only improve justice delivery across the continent but also foster a deeper sense of partnership among the three Courts, bringing substantial impact to their respective domains.
“The benefits and outcomes of this gathering will extend beyond the judicial sphere to positively impact the broader community served by these Courts. This underscores the need for a more collaborative approach to continuously share expertise, as the challenges faced are often common, so can the potential solutions,” he said.
In opening the Dialogue, Hon. Justice Nestor Kayobera, President of the East African Court of Justice addressed the environmental challenges facing the continent. He stated that the judicial discussions initiated by the Dialogue should consistently include essential environmental topics, particularly as Africa continues to confront the impacts of climate change and other pressing environmental issues.
“There is a critical need for the three Courts to start developing legal principles on environmental rights and the incorporation of human rights aspects into environmental safeguarding measures, to ensure we are aligned with the fundamental rights of individuals, fostering a holistic approach to both environmental protection and human dignity,” he said.
A significant outcome of the Dialogue was the adoption of a communiqué which renewed the commitment of the three courts to strengthen their relationship and cooperation, and sets forth a strategic roadmap for future engagement.
The communiqué outlines priorities such as reinforcing judicial independence, fostering the exchange of best practices, and ensuring implementation of decisions of the Courts through stronger enforcement mechanisms.
The Dialogue was organised by the three Courts in collaboration 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
- 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.
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
