Dissertations / Theses: 'African Court of Human and People's Rights'

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Bortfeld, Mathias. "The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights:." University of Canterbury. Law, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1598.

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This thesis focuses on the establishment and operation of the latest regional Human Rights Court: The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. For the development of human rights protection mechanisms within regional organizations the governments of the member states are of special relevance. They pull the strings to either foster and develop a system or to disrupt it. Therefore, following a brief historical introduction, the first chapter gives an overview of the regional African organization, the former Organization of African Unity (OAU) and today's African Union (AU) which was instrumental in the establishment of the African Human Rights System and has now enhanced it by adding a judicial authority. However, it will become clear that is has taken a long time for the OAU to put human rights violations within the borders of its own member states on its agenda: Not until there was increasing international pressure due to never-ending excrescences of violence in the dictatorial regimes in Africa did the OAU carefully attend to this matter in the late 1970s. Its efforts culminated in the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the eponymous Banjul Charter) which entered into force in 1981. The body for the protection created by the Charter was the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights which took up its function in 1987. Since the newly established African Court is not supposed to replace the Commission but rather to strengthen it, the Court operates in concert with the Commission. Therefore the old protection system will still be applicable which deems a portrayal of the system in the following chapter necessary. Here, it will be outlined, that the competences of the Commission remain very limited and that its judicial impact on the State parties involved in its protection procedures has been nearly nil up to this very day. Against this background the next chapter focuses on the Protocol to the Banjul-Charter establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. First, the historical-political background and the protocol's juridical formulation process are examined. Here it will be shown that the end of global bipolarity has had a remarkable impact on the political protagonists in Africa with the effect that the increasing demands for a human rights Court within the OAU no longer remained completely unheard. It will also be outlined that the path towards the adoption of the protocol has been long and difficult. After a short survey of the organisational structure of the Court it will become clear that the protocol follows to a large extend its Inter-American counterpart concerning the institutional embodiment. However, a remarkable and, in international comparison, a unique achievement has also been achieved by the institutional regulations by making gender equality has one of the key issues to encompass when it comes to the nomination and election of judges. The following chapters outline the jurisdiction of the Court and the judicial process before the Court. In this connection the admissibility criteria will be highlighted in which two remarkable regulations stand out: First, it will become clear that in contrast to other regional human rights courts individuals and NGOs alike are entitled to file a complaint with the African Court (even though initially with the help of the Commission, since the protocol makes the complaint authority of individuals and NGOs dependent of a special declaration of acceptance of the State Parties concerned). Moreover, also unique compared to international two-tier human rights procedures, the protocol does not include a provision according to which a complainant would be obliged to go through a prior Commission procedure before filing a complaint with the Court. Individual complainants rather have direct access to the Court once a declaration of acceptance has been submitted by a State Party to the protocol. Following short remarks on the competence of the Court to issue provisional measures which, among other things, reveal that these measures have, in contrast to those of the ECtHR, binding effect the procedural termination of a complaint comes into focus. Here, the possible contents of the rulings and the control mechanisms for their implementation are being contemplated in a detailed fashion. This last aspect most probably will have great influence on the fate of the Court since the Commission for its part had to a large extent no success due to the fact that it had no conventional implementation procedures to rely on. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases the findings of the Commission trailed off without any State Party concerned paying any attention to it. The drafters of the protocol establishing the Court obviously have learned this lesson since the protocol provides for a quite remarkable implementation mechanism that may be able to impose political and legal pressure alike on State Parties if the Court deems that they have not properly complied with a Court's ruling. Even sanctions within the African Union against a recusant State come into question from a legal point of view - a quantum leap regarding the legal situation under the Banjul Charter. The last chapter rehearses the main findings of the thesis and concludes with a positive outlook on the future development of the African human rights system.

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2

Bello, Ayodeji Aliu. "The African court on human and peoples’ rights: a test of African notions of human rights and justice." University of the Western Cape, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6832.

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Doctor Legum - LLD
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Right (the Court) is the most recent of the three regional Human Rights Bodies. Envisioned by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, its structures was not planned until the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) promulgated a protocol for its creation in 1998. The Court complements the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (‘The Commission’) and the Court has the competence to take final and binding decisions on human rights violations. Unlike its European and inter-American versions where their courts are integral parts of the cardinal instrument of the system ab initio, the establishment of the African Court was merely an afterthought. At the initial, protection of rights rested solely with the Commission upon African justice system which emphasises reconciliation as it is non-confrontational method of settlements of. The Commission is a quasi-judicial body modelled after the United Nations Human Right Committee without binding powers and with only limited functions covering examination of State reports, communications alleging violations and interpreting the Charter at the request of a State, the OAU or any organisation recognised by the OAU. The thesis answers the question whether the adoption of the African Court means that the African model of enforcing human rights has failed or whether having the Court constitute a concession to the triumph of the western model of law enforcement. The imperative of the 30th Ordinary Session of the OAU in 1994 where the creation of an African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights was viewed as the best way of protecting human rights across the region would be treated. The relevance of such an examination is highlighted by the fact that the African Charter did not make any provision for the establishment of a Court to enforce the rights guaranteed thereunder. If we are to assume that justice by reconciliation has failed and should be replaced by or complimented with justice by adjudication as the primary means of conflict resolution, what guarantees are there that the latter form of justice will not also fail? This thesis therefore will critically evaluate the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and assessed its potential impact on the African human rights system. It will also probe the power of the Court and see whether a clear and mutually reinforcing division of labour between it and the African Commission can be developed to promote and protect human rights on the continent. This research brings to focus an area that requires attention if the African human rights regime is to be effective. It put to test the criticism against the African Charter and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and also identified the present existing flaws in the African regional system. Furthermore, it ascertained whether or not, given the availability of other options, a regional Court is, in fact, the ideal mechanism for the protection of human rights in Africa.

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3

Aliu, Bello Ayodeji. "The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Right: A test of African notions of human rights and justice." University of the Western Cape, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6630.

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Doctor Legum - LLD
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Right (the Court) is the most recent of the three regional Human Rights Bodies. Envisioned by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right, its structures was not planned until the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) promulgated a protocol for its creation in 1998. The Court complements the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (‘The Commission’) and the Court has the competence to take final and binding decisions on human rights violations. Unlike its European and inter-American versions where their courts are integral parts of the cardinal instrument of the system ab initio, the establishment of the African Court was merely an afterthought. At the initial, protection of rights rested solely with the Commission upon African justice system which emphasises reconciliation as it is non-confrontational method of settlements of. The Commission is a quasi-judicial body modelled after the United Nations Human Right Committee without binding powers and with only limited functions covering examination of State reports, communications alleging violations and interpreting the Charter at the request of a State, the OAU or any organisation recognised by the OAU. The thesis answers the question whether the adoption of the African Court means that the African model of enforcing human rights has failed or whether having the Court constitute a concession to the triumph of the western model of law enforcement. The imperative of the 30th Ordinary Session of the OAU in 1994 where the creation of an African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights was viewed as the best way of protecting human rights across the region would be treated. The relevance of such an examination is highlighted by the fact that the African Charter did not make any provision for the establishment of a Court to enforce the rights guaranteed thereunder. If we are to assume that justice by reconciliation has failed and should be replaced by or complimented with justice by adjudication as the primary means of conflict resolution, what guarantees are there that the latter form of justice will not also fail? This thesis therefore will critically evaluate the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and assessed its potential impact on the African human rights system. It will also probe the power of the Court and see whether a clear and mutually reinforcing division of labour between it and the African Commission can be developed to promote and protect human rights on the continent. This research brings to focus an area that requires attention if the African human rights regime is to be effective. It put to test the criticism against the African Charter and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and also identified the present existing flaws in the African regional system. Furthermore, it ascertained whether or not, given the availability of other options, a regional Court is, in fact, the ideal mechanism for the protection of human rights in Africa.

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4

Geoffreys, Timothy Colin. "The promise of the African Court of Justice and human and peoples' rights and for the protection of human rights in Africa." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4696.

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5

Deyi, Busiswe. "When rights collide with reality : an argument for dialogic approach by the African court on Human and Peoples' Rights to the 'effective remedy' principle based on a distributive justice Ethos." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18623.

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The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) was created amidst great criticism to the ineffectiveness of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCmHPR) in protecting human rights on the content. After much debate, spanning four decades the Protocol on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Protocol) was adopted by the Organisation of African Unity Assembly and entered into force on the 25th of January 2004. Later the 4th AU summit in January 2006 elected the eleven judges of the Court.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2011.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
nf2012
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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6

Rubasha, Herbert. "Appreciating diversity : is the doctrine of margin of appreciation as applied in the European Court of Human Rights relevant in the African human rights system?" Diss., University of Pretoria, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/1228.

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"The purpose of this study is to interrogate the doctrine of margin of appreciation as applied in the European Court of Human Rights and establish amenable lessos to the African human rights system. As such, the author will be able to draw appropriate and informed recommendations on the prospects of the doctrine in African context. In other words, the study proceeds from the approach that 'diversity' alone is not enough to guarantee application of margin of appreciation. Rather, a variety of factors come into consideration while weighing whether margin of appreciation should be granted to states. Indeed, such benchmarks will inform the discourse of this study, while at the same time acknowledging that a comparative study between European and African systems cannot be possible. The premise for disqualifying a comparison assumes that margin of appreciation presupposes a democratic society. Thus, while the member states of the ECHR have attained high levels of human rights records, some of their counterparts in Africa are still marred by embarrassing human rights records." -- Preamble. "Chapter one introduces the study and the context in which it is set. It highlights the basis and structure of the study. Chapter two makes reference to the connotation, origin and development of the doctrine of margin of appreciation. It discusses also contours and varying degrees of the doctrine's application with particular regard to respect of the rule of law. In addition, difficulties linked to the doctrine are highlighted. Chapter three highlights policy grounds underlying margin of appreciation in the European Court of Human Rights. It starts from most decisive policy grounds and moves to weaker ones. Chapter four examines the legal basis for application of the doctrine of margin of appreciation under the African Charter. It further notes the attitude of African states through their submissions claiming margin. The Prince case as the first of its kind to invoke margin of appreciation is discussed. Chapter five attempts to identify the defensibility and indefensibility of the doctrine in [the] African human rights system. Chapter six consists of a summary of the presentation and the conclusions drawn from the entire study." -- Introduction.
Prepared under the supervision of Prof. Gilles Cistac at the Faculty of Law, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mocambique
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2006.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/academic_pro/llm1/dissertations.html
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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7

Whitman, Kim. "Contesting Uganda's legislative homophobia in the African court on human and peoples' rights: Substantive and procedural challenges." University of the Western Cape, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/8219.

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Magister Legum - LLM
In many societies, a division between genders exist. This differentiation is attributed to a patriarchal culture which creates gender norms in sexualities.1 A set of cultural practices and expectations exist; these cultural practices and expectations assume that heterosexuality is the cornerstone of social unions - this phenomenon is known as heteronormativity.2 Heteronormativity affords that there are only two sexes with predetermined gender roles,3 creating the homophobia in societies. Human rights infringements on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation has become noticeable across Africa.4 Homophobia in Africa is linked to the codification of laws that infringed on human rights under colonialism, which still forms part of the current norms around sexuality.5 Homosexuality is prohibited and is unlawful in most of the countries in Africa, South Africa being the only country that allows for the legal union of same-sex couples.6 There have been a number of academic texts debating the importance of culture against the right to equality in the South African context; 7 however, there is an inadequate amount of academic text available about this topic on an African level. Therefore, an ongoing debate about the protection of "sexual minorities" contrasted with the protection of cultural rights exists on an international scale. 8 The rights of sexual minorities are disregarded too often and they are often denied equal and fair access to the law. A large number of African countries believe that homosexuality is un African,9 thus choosing to exclude lesbians and gays from citizen rights. 10 Due to this belief, the practice of homosexuality in Africa is seen one that goes against the morals and values of the majority of society. This creates a stand-off between cultural rights and equality rights of sexual minorities.

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8

Ayalew, Albab Tesfaye. "African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights : prospects and challenges of prosecuting unconstitutional changes of government as an international crime." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/37278.

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In its latest attempt to curb the plight of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, the African Union (AU) is in the process of empowering the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court) to prosecute perpetrators of unconstitutional changes of government in member states. This study considers the prospects and challenges of such prosecution by the proposed African Court. The study first identifies the normative and institutional framework developed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), and later the AU to address unconstitutional changes of government in the continent. It then analyses the AU’s response to unconstitutional changes of government in member states, taking Guinea, The Comoros, Niger, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya as case studies. In doing so, it identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the AU’s response to the changes in these countries, including the capability of the AU’s normative and institutional framework to address all forms of unconstitutional changes in the region. Most importantly, the study addresses the challenges and prospects of prosecuting unconstitutional changes of government by the proposed African Court and whether the Court would be able to overcome the short-comings identified in the case studies. It finally concludes and recommends based on the findings of the study.
Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
gm2014
Centre for Human Rights
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9

Musila, Godfrey. "Whistling past the graveyard : amnesty and the right to an effective remedy under the African Charter : the case of South Africa and Mocambique." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/937.

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"First, this dissertation proposes to explore the practice of amnesties in dealing with violations of human rights vis-à-vis the obligation of states to punish and to prosecute gross violations of human rights and to guarantee effective remedies for victims. Secondly, it seeks to inquire, for purposes of meeting the first objective, into the validity of amnesties in international law with specific reference to the African Charter. Thirdly, on the strength of a selected case studies: South Africa and Moçambique, and informed by relevant jurisprudence drawn from the Inter-American human rights system and elsewhere, a critique informative of the recommendations as to how the African Court should deal with cases arising out of such amnesty situations will be attempted. Equally, similar reference will be made, albeit in an abridged way, to how amnesties could be dealt with at the political levels of the African Union (AU). Fourthly, the dissertation will inquire into why amnesties, which have been used to advance utilitarian ends of the communal good (national reconciliation) thereby ‘trumping individuals’ rights’, cannot at the same time, be so fashioned as to reconcile these especially relating to effective remedies for violations of human rights the amnesty seeks to address. Fifthly, in drawing on the foregoing, this study will, by way of recommendations, seek to outline criteria or conditionalities upon which amnesty should, if ever, be granted. ... The study consists of five chapters. Chapter one will provide the context in which the study is set. It highlights the basis and structure of the study. Chapter two endeavours to outline some of the basic concepts central to the study; amnesty, pardon as instruments of national reconciliation and the various avenues through which these has been effected in the past. In the main, the chapter attempts a problematisation of the concept of amnesty by which its validity and place in international law will be examined. Chapter three outlines the approaches to amnesty in South Africa and Moçambique and the countervailing state obligations to ensure rights protected in human rights instruments: to prosecute and punish violators and the rights of victims and their relatives to effective remedies. In the case of South Africa, the right to effective remedies is discussed within the context of the decision of the South African constitutional court in AZAPO. Chapter four attempts to grapple with the possibility of bringing a case before the African Court of Human Rights and how this case may, and should be decided in light of existing decisions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and available comparative jurisprudence on the subject. Chapter five will consist of a summary of the presentation and the conclusions drawn from the entire study. It will also make some recommendations as to how amnesty should be dealt with both at political level (AU) and at the level of the African Court in relation to human rights violations. In furtherance of this, it attempts an outline of directive criteria that should be applied." -- Chapter 1.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2004.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/academic_pro/llm1/dissertations.html
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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Adjolohoun, Horace Segnonna A. T. "The right to reparation’ as applied under the African Charter by Benin’s Constitutional Court." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5340.

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The purpose of the study is to determine the extent to which Benin’s Constitutional Court gives effect to the right to reparation under the African Charter and to examine relevant routes for the Court to discharge its duty fully and accurately. Ultimately, the study envisions suggesting Benin’s Constitutional Court a more genuine approach to the right to reparation with an emphasis on the content and scope of the right to reparation, competent remedial institutions and determination of the quantum in cases of monetary compensation.
Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2007.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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11

Mbazira, Christopher. "The enforcement of socio-economic rights in the African human rights system : drawing inspiration from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and South Africa's evolving jurisprudence." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/1062.

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"It is submitted that South Africa presents the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Court) with inspiration to draw from on how social-economic rights can be protected. Issues of locus, defining the state's obligations, effective remedies and their enforcement can be drawn from. However, it is impossible to transpose a domestic system directly into the regional system. It is also submitted that South Africa's Constitution and jurisprudence is not without criticisms as assessed against the backdrop of international human rights law. In this respect the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Committee) offers immense inspiration. Through its practice of giving normative content to the rights in the ICESCR the Committee has given extensive definition to some of the rights in the ICESCR and the obligations that attach to them. The obligation of the states to take steps to the maximum of the available resources to achieve progressively the full realisation of the rights in the Covenant has been the subject of extensive elaboration by the Committee. In addition to this the Committee has read into the ICESCR a very important concept, the principle of 'core minimum obligations'. This concept sets the benchmark in determining whether the state has discharged it obligations at the minimum level. The Commission and Court should take advantage of the provisions of the Charter which allow for inspiration from other instruments. The Charter obliges the Commission and the Court to draw inspiration from international law and human and peoples' rights, including the UDHR and other instruments adopted by the United Nations and African countries in the area of human rights. This is in addition to taking into consideration other instruments laying down rules expressly recognized by the states. This paper sets out to show that the African system can draw inspiration from South Africa and the Committee in order to surmount the challenges affecting the realisation of the rights. The paper is divided into five parts. The first part outlines the normative framework of protection of economic, social and cultural rights within the ICESCR, the African Charter and South African Constitution. The second part explores the challenges hampering the effective realisation of these rights followed by an analysis of the African Court and the lessons it may draw not only from the Committee and South Africa's Constitution but from the African Commission as well. The fourth part looks at the forth-coming African Court and its challenges, pointing to aspects on which it may seek inspiration. This will be followed by a conclusion and recommendations." -- Introduction.
Prepared under the supervision of Professor Sandra Liebenberg at the Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/academic_pro/llm1/dissertations.html
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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12

Coulibaly, Yrepe Melissa. "La spécificité de la conception et de la protection des droits de l'homme et des peuples en Afrique au début du XXIème siècle." Thesis, Toulon, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015TOUL0087.

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La régionalisation des droits de l'homme a permis l'adoption de plusieurs instruments juridiques visant à assurer la protection des droits de l'homme. Dans cette optique, l'Afrique s'est dotée en 1981 d'une Charte africaine des droits de l'homme et des peuples. Les rédacteurs de la Charte africaine ont voulu adopter un texte qui tienne compte des spécificités et diversités culturelles du continent. Ainsi à côté des droits de première, deuxième et troisième génération, la Charte africaine consacre les droits des peuples et proclame des devoirs. Le volet institutionnel de la protection des droits de l'homme en Afrique a pris tout son sens avec la création de la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples. Toutefois, il faut souligner le rôle important qu’a joué et continue à jouer la Commission africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, organe non juridictionnel, certes, mais qui œuvre pour la promotion des droits de l’homme en Afrique. La place accordée aux droits de l’homme dans les constitutions des États africains est révélatrice de l’intérêt particulier accordé à ces droits
The decentralization of human rights has favoured the setting up of a number of legal instruments more properly equipped to insure the protection of human rights. With this in view, in 1981 Africa drafted the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights. The authors of the African Charter were anxious to provide a legislation that would take into account the specificities and cultural diversity of their continent. In this way, alongside the rights of first, second and third generations, the African Charter enshrines the rights of her peoples and proclaims their duties. The institutional side of the protection of human rights in African has taken on its full significance with the creation of the African Court of Human and People’s Rights. However, even if the organization has no legal power, we should not underestimate the importance of the role played in its defence of Human rights in Africa by the African Commission of Human and People’s rights. The pride of place given to human rights in the constitutions of African States shows how they prioritize these rights

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13

Hamidu, Mariam. "The open-door approach to locus standi by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in respect of its non-state complaints procedure: in need of reform?" Diss., University of Pretoria, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/1213.

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"The question of locus standi regarding the non-state complaints procedure before the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) is a very flexibile one. Although the language of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Charter), the enabling powers and functions of the Commission, does not provide for such broad standing, the Commission has over its 20 years of operation, given broad interpretation to the question of standing by adopting the actio popularis doctrine. As a reslut the Commission has entertained communicatons from any person, group of persons or non-governmental organisation (NGOs), whether on their own behalf or on behalf of tothers. The location or nationality of such persons is also not a bar to standing. Consequently, the Commission has accepted communications from national NGOs operating in the country of the state party against whom the complaint is made, NGOs with a regaional focus, international NGOs, and non-African nationals. ... The study has five chapters. Chapter one introduces the study and the justification thereof. Chapter two explores the origin, nature and application of locus standi in domestic legal systems with particluar respect to private protection of public rights and human rights protection using Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa as case studies. Chapter three examines the standing requirements before other regional human rights protection systems namely the ECHR, and the IACHR as well as global human rights protection mechanisms throught the lens of the HRC, the CERD-Committee, the CAT-Committee and the CEDAW-Committee. Chapter four traces and assesses the development of the broad standing requirements before the Commission regarding its non-state communications procedure and the problems associated with them. And Chapter five presents the conclusions and recommendations of the study." -- Introduction.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2006.
Prepared under the supervision of Mr. Angelo Matusse at the Faculty of Law, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/academic_pro/llm1/dissertations.html
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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14

Coulibaly, Yrepe Melissa. "La spécificité de la conception et de la protection des droits de l'homme et des peuples en Afrique au début du XXIème siècle." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Toulon, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015TOUL0087.

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La régionalisation des droits de l'homme a permis l'adoption de plusieurs instruments juridiques visant à assurer la protection des droits de l'homme. Dans cette optique, l'Afrique s'est dotée en 1981 d'une Charte africaine des droits de l'homme et des peuples. Les rédacteurs de la Charte africaine ont voulu adopter un texte qui tienne compte des spécificités et diversités culturelles du continent. Ainsi à côté des droits de première, deuxième et troisième génération, la Charte africaine consacre les droits des peuples et proclame des devoirs. Le volet institutionnel de la protection des droits de l'homme en Afrique a pris tout son sens avec la création de la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples. Toutefois, il faut souligner le rôle important qu’a joué et continue à jouer la Commission africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, organe non juridictionnel, certes, mais qui œuvre pour la promotion des droits de l’homme en Afrique. La place accordée aux droits de l’homme dans les constitutions des États africains est révélatrice de l’intérêt particulier accordé à ces droits
The decentralization of human rights has favoured the setting up of a number of legal instruments more properly equipped to insure the protection of human rights. With this in view, in 1981 Africa drafted the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights. The authors of the African Charter were anxious to provide a legislation that would take into account the specificities and cultural diversity of their continent. In this way, alongside the rights of first, second and third generations, the African Charter enshrines the rights of her peoples and proclaims their duties. The institutional side of the protection of human rights in African has taken on its full significance with the creation of the African Court of Human and People’s Rights. However, even if the organization has no legal power, we should not underestimate the importance of the role played in its defence of Human rights in Africa by the African Commission of Human and People’s rights. The pride of place given to human rights in the constitutions of African States shows how they prioritize these rights

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15

Hanffou, Nana Sarah. "La Cour africaine des droits de l'homme et des peuples : étude à la lumière de l'expérience européenne." Thesis, Aix-Marseille, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015AIXM1016.

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Si l’idée de la création d’une cour régionale de protection des droits de l’Homme remonte à 1961, elle ne s’est concrétisée qu’en 1998 avec l’adoption du protocole de Ouagadougou créant la Cour africaine des droits de l’Homme et des peuples. Cette juridiction vient compléter le mandat de la Commission africaine des droits de l’Homme et des peuples. Elle s’inscrit dans la lignée de ses homologues européenne et américaine et joue un rôle essentiel dans l’effectivité de la protection régionale des droits de l’Homme. De ce fait, l’étude de cette juridiction à la lumière de l’expérience européenne a pour but de mettre en exergue les particularités de cette cour tout en démontrant qu’elle a su adapter les standards internationaux en la matière, particulièrement les normes découlant du procès équitable. Il reste toutefois que sa compétence demeure ainsi singulière à bien des égards. Les États africains ont fait preuve de pragmatisme dans l’établissement de cette cour et n’ont pas opéré un mimétisme aveugle avec le modèle de la CEDH. Depuis son premier arrêt en 2009, la cour africaine a rendu des arrêts au fond qui apportent des précisions utiles tant sur les questions d’ordre procédural que sur le contenu des droits protégés. Cependant, elle reste confrontée à des défis qui menacent son avenir. La cristallisation des relations avec la CPI et l’incertitude de la création d’une cour africaine de justice et des droits de l’homme sont manifestement problématiques. La multiplicité des juridictions régionales ayant pour objectif l'intégration économique, mais pouvant statuer sur des questions relatives aux droits de l'Homme, soulève également un certain nombre d’interrogations
If the idea of creating a regional human rights court dates back to 1961, it became a reality in 1998, when the Ouagadougou Protocol establishing the African Court of Human and Peoples' rights (African Court) was adopted.This court complements the mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ rights. It is fully in line with its European and American counterparts and has undoubtedly a role to play in the effectiveness of the regional protection of human rights.Therefore, the study of this court, in the light of the European experience, aims to highlight the features of this court while demonstrating that it meets international standards in this area, particularly the standards derived under fair trial. His extended competence, whether contentious or advisory is unique in many ways.African states have demonstrated pragmatism in the establishment of this regional court and have not made a blind imitation with the model of the European Court of Human Rights. Since its first judgment in 2009, the African Court delivered judgment on the merits which provide information on both procedural issues and the content of the protected rights. Of course, challenges remain to be addressed. The crystallization of the relations with the International Criminal Court and the subsequent uncertainty about the creation of an African Court of Justice and Human Rights are clearly problematic. The multiplicity of regional courts whose main objective is economic integration, but who can also rule on questions relating to human rights, also raises a number of questions

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Tavernier, Julie. "La réparation dans le contentieux international des droits de l’homme." Thesis, Paris 2, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017PA020063.

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La réparation des dommages causés aux particuliers est une thématique ancienne en droit international. Toutefois, elle a été longuement appréhendée au seul prisme des relations interétatiques, l’individu n’étant perçu que comme un objet du droit international. Le bouleversement introduit par la protection internationale des droits de l’homme quant au statut de l’individu dans cet ordre juridique invite donc à une relecture de cette question. Les obligations substantielles contractées par les Etats en matière de protection internationale des droits de l’homme devraient logiquement trouver un prolongement dans l’existence d’une obligation de ces derniers de réparer les dommages causés aux particuliers. Or, l’identification d’une telle obligation s’avère délicate, tant au regard de ses créanciers que de son étendue. Sa réalisation est quant à elle laissée en grande partie aux mains du juge. Il s’avère donc malaisé de dégager un véritable régime juridique de la réparation des dommages causés par la violation des droits de l’homme
The reparation of damage caused to individuals is a former thematic issue of international law. However, its development has been studied only from the point of view of interstate relations as soon as the individual was conceived and treated as an object, not as a subject of international law. The change, brought by the international protection of human rights relating to the status of individual, in this legal order, suggests to re-open the debate on this matter. As a result, the compelling obligations undertaken by member states regarding international protection of human rights, should logically lead to the existence of an obligation for the latter to repair the damage caused to the private individuals. But identifying such an obligation remains delicate both with regard to his creditors and with regard to its scope. Its implementation is left largely with the hands of the judge. It is therefore difficult to find a genuine legal regime for the reparation of damages caused by the violation of human rights

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17

Rubner, Nathaniel. "The origins of the 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.610495.

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18

Chembezi, Gabriel. "Traditional justice and states' obligations for serious crimes under international law: an African perspective." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2010. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_1047_1361197710.

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19

Lattouf, Ziad. "La mise en oeuvre de l'accord d'association en Algérie - Union européenne dans les perspectives du respect des droits de l'homme." Thesis, Lyon 3, 2011. http://www.theses.fr/2011LYO30002.

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L’accord d’association Algérie-Union Européenne, paraphé à Bruxelles le 19 décembre 2001 et entré en vigueur le 1er septembre 2005, fonde un partenariat en matière des droits de l’homme. Déclenché par la Déclaration de Barcelone du 27 et 28 novembre 1995, il fournit aujourd’hui le modèle le plus complet pour une meilleure mise en œuvre réelle et effective des droits de l’homme dans le cadre des accords d’associations. Inspiré, d’une politique euro-méditerranéenne qui a pour objectif la promotion et la protection des droits de l’homme, tel qu’énoncée dans la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme, inspire les politiques internes et internationales des parties et constitue un élément essentiel pour la mise en œuvre de l’accord d’association Algérie-UE. Y’a-t-il une réelle mise en œuvre de l’accord d’association Algérie-Union Européenne dans les perspectives du respect des droits de l’homme ? Et quels sont les moyens mis en place?
The Algerian-European association, signed on 19 December 2001 in Brussels and enforced on 1 September 2005, represents a partnership in terms of human rights. Sett off by the Barcelona Declaration of 27 & 28 November 1995, it nowadays serves as the best model for a genuine implementation of human rights in the field of assocation agreements. Inspired by Euro-Mediterranean policy whose objective is the promotion as well as protection of human rights, as stated in the universal declaration of human rights, it affects the parties, domestic and international policies and represents and essential element in the implementation of the Algerian-European association agreement. Is there a genuine implementation of the Algerian-European association agreement in the perspective of the respect of human rights? And what are the means used for that propose?

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20

Orago, Nicholas W. "Interrogating the competence of the African court of justice and human rights to review." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/16789.

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Globalisation and the transfer of powers from state constitutional systems to international organisations (IOs) have led to several deficiencies, especially with regard to checks and balances in global governance. The need to inculcate the rule of law and constitutionalism in global governance has therefore gained currency in the 21st century. This has been exemplified by calls for the reform of the United Nations (UN) and the extensive reforms in regional IOs, such as the European Union (EU), with emphasis on institutional balance and the tempering of political power with institutional controls.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2010.
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr. Jacqui Gallinetti Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. 2010.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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21

Ebobrah, Solomon Tamarabrakemi. "Towards effective realisation of the right to a satisfactory environment in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: a case for domestic horizontal application." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/1210.

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"Although the African Commission recognised that non-state actors (in this case the transnational corporations (TNCs)) contributed to the violations that prompted the SERAC communication, it failed to hold the TNCs accountable for the violations. The Commission rather held the state party responsible [for] failing to prevent the violations in its territory. The reason for the failure of the Commission to hold the non-state actor accountable is obvious. As Anderson has noted, 'conventional jurisprudence contends that human rights are enforceable only against the acts of omissions of the state rather than the acts of private entities'. Consequently, especially in international fora, violations by non-state actors have gone largely unaccoutned for. Hence, commentators have argued in favour of seeking an appropriate regime for holding non-state actors accountable for such violations, some arguing for horizontal application at international fora. However, non-state actors lack the status to allow Charter institutions exercise jurisdiction over them. This leaves the option of domestic systems as fora for their accountability. Thus, the emerging principle of horizontal applicability of human rights in domestic jurisdictions and the assumption of independent judiciaries provide the premises for this study. ... Chapter 1 contains a general overview of the study. In Chapter 2, the essay examines the scope and content of the right to a satisfactory environment as contained in the African Charter. Chapter 3 examines the existing framework for the realisation of the right to a satisfactory environment under the African Charter. The SERAC case is considered briefly in this chapter as an example of the difficulty to arrest non-state actor violations in the existing framework. Chapter 4 presents the case for horizontal application of article 24 of the African Charter at the domestic level as a complimentary approach to realisation of the right. The debate on horizontal applicability of human rights is highlighted to show that it is not yet widely accepted but it is presented as a basis for this option. The recent Nigerian case of Gbemre v SPDC is examined as an example of the possibility of horizontal applicaton of the article 24 right in a domestic tribunal. Chapter 5 summarises the conclusions from the study and makes recommendations in support of applying the African Charter based right horizontally in domestic courts." -- Introduction.
Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2006.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/academic_pro/llm1/dissertations.html
Centre for Human Rights
Centre for Human Rights
LLM
LLM

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Assefa, Ayalew Getachew. "The impact of the African Charter on human and people's rights and the protocol on the rights of women on the South African Judiciary." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18612.

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The African Charter on Human and Peoples‟ Rights (the Africa Charter), which is one of the constituents of the African human rights system, was adopted by the Assembly of Head of States and Governments of the OAU in 1981 and entered into force five years later in 1986. The African Charter covers a wider range of rights when compared to the other regional human rights instruments, such as the European and the Inter-American Human Rights Systems. As many writers indicated, the Africa Charter is designed to reflect the history, values, traditions, and development of Africa by joining collective rights and individual duties. The African Commission on Humans and Peoples‟ Rights (the Commission) is responsible for the enforcement of the African Charter. Currently, the African Charter has been ratified by 53 countries. South Africa has signed, ratified and deposited the Charter on 09 July 1996.
Prepared under the supervision of Dr. Letitia van der Poll, Faculty of Law of the University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2011.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
nf2012
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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23

Kinyunyu, Selemani. "Towards an African International Criminal Court? – assessing the extension of the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to cover international crimes." University of the Western Cape, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/5399.

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Magister Legum - LLM
Africa seemingly cursed with instability, conflict and gross human rights violations has been the largest scene of operation of international criminal justice. This understanding led African States to be some of the key proponents in the push for an International Criminal Court. Of late however, mounting policy and operational fluxes between African States and international criminal justice has put Africa's relationship with international justice on ice. This in turn has awoken within the region's geopolitical body, the African Union, the need for an exclusively African response to international criminal justice as it is currently considering extending the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to cover international crimes. This Research Paper aims to chart the genesis of this move through the decision-making system of the African Union and within the broader context of the Union's emerging Human Rights, Peace and Security Architecture. It will simultaneously assess the viability of this proposal within the backdrop of recent global developments with a view to identifying key legal and policy ramifications. It aims to show that there may be room for the adoption of an empowered African Court as a regional complement to the international criminal justice system.

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Guraro, Martha B. "Furthering justice or promoting impunity? A critical analysis of the propesed criminal jurisdiction in the African court of justice and human rights." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/16745.

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The African Union (AU) was set up in the year 2000 by the Constitutive Act of the African Union (Constitutive Act). Part of AU’s objectives for its creation includes; the promotion of peace, security and stability on the continent as well as the protection and promotion of human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).2 As part of fulfilling this objective, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACtHPR) was established3 with a wide human rights protective mandate which allows it to determine cases and disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the ACHPR and other international human rights instruments.4
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2010.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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25

Nuwagaba, Edgar. "An analysis of the approaches of the African Commission to the socio-economic rights provisions of the African Charter : a comparative analysis with European and inter-American regional systems." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4837.

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Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS)
This study adopts a comparative approach to analysing the realisation of socioeconomic rights by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights as compared with the European Commission and the Inter-American Commission. It examines the different approaches the Commission has adopted in interpreting the socioeconomic rights provision of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights with a view to assessing its appropriateness or otherwise. In addition, the study discusses some of the major challenges facing the African Commission which sometimes makes it difficult for the Commission to meet its obligations in realising socioeconomic rights guaranteed in the Charter. It then compares the approach of the African Commission with other regional human rights bodies such as the European Courts on Human Rights and the Intern-American Commission on Human Rights. It concludes by noting that the African Commission can learn some lessons from the experiences of the European and Inter-American systems on human rights with regard to the realisation of socioeconomic rights.

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Murray, Rachel. "The contribution of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights to the development of international law." Thesis, University of the West of England, Bristol, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.297890.

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Oluwasina, Ayeni Victor. "Domestic impact of the African Charter Human and Peoples' Rights and the protocol on the rights of woman in Africa : a case study of Nigeria." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18606.

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The achievements made at the continental level since 21 October 1986 when the African Charter on Human and Peoples‟ Rights (African Charter) came into force have been modest yet significant. Following its adoption, the African Charter was hailed as a very ambitious document. This is because of its uniquely African features: emphasis on morality, anti-colonial stance, absence of derogations justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights, recognition of peoples‟ rights as well as the imposition of duties on states and individuals. As a result of these distinctive characteristics, many scholars have criticised the normative framework of the Charter. Sindjoun is of the view that the Charter is „window-dressing for the purpose of acceding to international civilization.‟ Ouguergouz described the rights guaranteed in the Charter as „imprecise‟ and that „the pertinent clauses of the African Charter offer only weak legal protection to the individual.‟ Early writings on the Charter also raised doubts about the likelihood of its implementation. Good or bad as the normative standards of the Charter may be, Heyns and Viljoen are of the view that „the conceptual battle is over.‟ The relevant battle now is for implementation. Thus recent discourses on the Charter have shifted from celebrating or further criticising the Charter‟s distinctive normative framework to evaluating its implementation mechanism. A system of human rights is only as good as its enforcement mechanism.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2011.
nf2012
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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28

Ntlama, Nomthandazo Patience. "The implementation of court orders in respect of socio-economic rights in South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53648.

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Thesis (LL.M.)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recognition of the socio-economic imbalances inherited from the past and the abject poverty experienced by many, the people of South Africa adopted a Constitution fully committed to protecting socio-economic rights and advancing social justice. Apartheid constituted a violation of every internationally recognised human right. Seen in this light the emphasis on socio-economic rights in the new South African Constitution represents a commitment to guarantee to everyone in society a certain minimum standard of living below which they will not be allowed to fall. As the Constitution recognises socio-economic rights as justiciable rights, they can be of assistance to those who are unable to support themselves when challenging the state for the non-delivery of basic services. The duty to deliver the services lies first with the state and the court becomes involved only once it is alleged that the state has failed to fulfil its duty. The primary purpose of the study is aimed at determining the effectiveness of the South African Human Rights Commission in monitoring court orders in respect of the implementation of socio-economic rights. Non-Governmental Organisations, involved in the promotion and protection of human rights including socio-economic rights, cannot be left out of the process. It is argued that where the Courts issue structural interdicts, which have of late been used by them, albeit not enough in the context of socio-economic rights, they are responsible for the implementation of such orders. It is also argued that the South African Human Rights Commission and NGOs must be enjoined to ensure that court orders are better implemented. Court orders in respect of socio-economic rights in almost all the cases to date were neither implemented nor monitored adequately.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ter erkenning van die sosio-ekonomiese ongelykhede wat post-apartheid Suid- Afrika geërf het en die volslae armoede waaraan talle Suid-Afrikaners onderwerp is, het die mense van Suid-Afrika 'n grondwet aanvaar wat verbonde is tot die beskerming van sosio-ekonomiese regte en die bevordering van maatskaplike geregtigheid. Apartheid het elke internasionaal-erkende mensereg geskend. Teen hierdie agtergrond verteenwoordig die klem op sosioekonomiese regte in die nuwe Suid-Afrikaanse grondwet 'n verbondenheid daartoe om vir elkeen in die maatskappy 'n bepaalde minimum lewensstandaard te waarborg, waaronder hulle nie toegelaat sal word om te sak nie. Aangesien die grondwet sosio-ekonomiese regte as beregbare regte erken, kan hierdie regte van nut wees vir mense wat hulself nie kan onderhou nie, as hulle die staat uitdaag omdat basiese dienste nie gelewer word nie. Die plig om dienste te lewer berus eerstens by die staat, met die gevolg dat die hof eers betrokke raak as die staat nie daarin slaag om sy plig te vervul nie. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie is om vas te stel hoe effektief die Suid- Afrikaanse Menseregtekommissie is met die monitering van hofbevele wat betrekking het op die verwesenliking van sosio-ekonomiese regte. Nieregeringsinstansies wat betrokke is by die bevordering en beserkming van menseregte, met inbegrip van sosio-ekonomiese regte, kan egter nie uit die proses gelaat word nie. In hierdie studie word aangevoer dat waar die strukturele interdikte gee, soos wat in die onlangse verlede gebeur het, selfs al is dit nie genoeg in die konteks van sosio-ekonomiese regte nie, hulle ook verantwoordelikheid is daarvoor dat sulke bevele uitgevoer word. Dit word verder gestel dat die Suid-Afrikaanse Menseregtekommissie en nieregeringsinstansies moet saamwerk om te verseker dat hofbevele beter uitgevoer word. Tot op datum is amper geen hofbevele oor sosio-ekonomiese regte bevredigend uitgevoer of genoegsaam gemoniteer nie.

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Komakech, Henry Kilama. "The role of the East African Court of Justice in the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in Uganda." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/36798.

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30

Hofmann, Ronald. "The International Criminal Court and its potential to prevent human rights violations : with special consideration to the actual African situation." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9621.

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Includes bibliographical references.
This work looks exclusively at future-oriented elements of the purposes of criminal punishment. It examines in particular the impact of the ICC on human rights, especially on the African continent. The main problem in this context is to define clearly such a possible positive impact on the human right situation and to establish proof of it. In the absence of a proof of such a positive impact in the past, the present or the foreseeable future, the justifying of the ICC from an African perspective or in general is in question.

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Adjolohoun, Horace Segnonna A. T. "Giving effect to the human rights jurisprudence of the court of justice of the economic community of West African states." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/53213.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was created in 1975 with the main aim of achieving political and economic integration among the 15 member states of the region. In its founding treaty, ECOWAS established a tribunal which was entrusted with a mandate to supervise the application and interpretation of Community norms. However, the tribunal thus established remained in limbo until it was replaced by a Court of Justice through a Protocol adopted in 1991. A series of events subsequently occurred and changed the fate of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (ECCJ), propelling it to the forefront of international human rights adjudication. In response to regional challenges and changes on the international scene which occurred in the late 1990s, ECOWAS revised its founding treaty in 1993 and expressly mentioned the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as the normative compass for realising Community objectives. This reform did not have much impact on the operation of the Court and its jurisdiction as, under the 1991 Court Protocol, individual complaints had to be instituted by member states on behalf of their citizens. In the absence of state-led complaints, the initial bench of judges was appointed in 2003 but the ECCJ did not hear a single case until 2004 when it had to reject its first individual application for lack of jurisdiction. In 2005, ECOWAS reacted to that limitation by adopting a Supplementary Protocol which, among other things, allowed the ECCJ to receive individual complaints of human rights violations. Endowed with a rebranded mandate, over time the ECCJ drew its material jurisdiction from the Revised Treaty s reference to the African Charter and read the silence of its Protocols as allowing complainants to institute human rights cases without exhausting local remedies as traditionally required in similar international proceedings. The scene was set, and between 2005-2012, the ECCJ announced itself in the arena of international courts by delivering some of the most significant human rights judgments. Issues adjudicated by the Court include slavery, arbitrary arrest and detention, fair trial, torture, education, and environmental pollution. In cases where it found a violation of rights in the African Charter, the ECCJ granted various categories of relief ranging from orders to immediately release the complainant to the payment of compensation up to $200,000. As the Community Court grows into an attractive human rights forum in the region, questions arise as to the tangible effects of its jurisprudence not only in particular cases which it has adjudicated but moreover regarding the development of the entire regime supporting its operation. This study investigates the effectiveness of the human rights jurisprudence of the Court as well as its influence on the domestic systems of member states and beyond the Community. Discussing nine merits judgments delivered by the ECCJ between 2005-2012, the study reveals that defendant states complied in 66 per cent of the cases. Of the three judgments that were not complied with, two involved a state known for its poor human rights, rule of law and both domestic and international compliance records. Cases selected are those in which the ECCJ made a specific order for defendant states to carry out. Various reasons may explain states behaviour towards the ECCJ s decisions. Main reasons for compliance include the political environment of the case and the nature of the remedy granted by the Court. Non-compliance instances were mainly explained by the nature of the government of the day and the nature of the rights violated and remedy afforded. It also appears that defendant states are more eager to pay compensation and undertake administrative measures than take thorough policy or legislative action. Importantly, the ECCJ s jurisprudential policy was brought to bear on compliance. As far as the influence of the Court s jurisprudence is concerned, the study found that decisions of the ECCJ are impacting on the domestic systems of defendant states, including the executive, judiciary and legislature. The level of influence however varies from one organ of the state to the other. As a general trend, of the three arms of state, courts appear to be the leading conveyers of influence, while executives have yet to fully play their part in giving a comprehensive effect to the jurisprudence of the Court. For instance, domestic courts have adjusted their jurisprudential policies or shaped the Community Court s jurisprudence in a manner that prevents clashes through resistance. Conversly, executives and legislatures have missed valuable opportunities to address such important issues as the improvement of socio-economic rights or curbing slavery. The human rights jurisprudence of the ECCJ has also begun to be echoed beyond West Africa. Such impact is exemplified by references to the work of the Community Court at the levels of the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, the United Nations human rights mechanisms, and in other international bodies including the International Court of Justice. In all, state compliance with decisions of the Court is good, and although it has yet to reach the irradiating model of the European human rights system, the West African Court has established itself as an effective forum in that part of the African continent. Compared with the African Commission and Court, which are its main competitors in the region, the ECCJ appears to be more attractive through, among other factors, its proximity and direct access for individuals, the length of time to complete cases, remedies afforded and state compliance. With no doubt, the Court bears the promise of standing as a reknown international court if it maintains its current trends. The major recommendations made by the study in that line are for the Court to continue adjudicating with caution and favor cooperation in making use of both the judicial and political monitoring mechanisms in place to improve state compliance with its decisions.
Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
Centre for Human Rights
LLD
Unrestricted

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32

Nwankwo, Chidebe. "Legitimation of the economic community of West African states (ECOWAS) : a normative and institutional inquiry." Thesis, Brunel University, 2014. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/9387.

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This study is an attempt at determining the normative legitimacy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). At its core, it scrutinizes the current mandate of the organization following the layering of economic integration objectives with human rights protection, sustenance of democracy, and the rule of law. The study discusses the elements of legitimacy across disciplines mainly, international law, international relations and political science. Legitimacy is eventually split along two divides, the normative and descriptive/sociological aspects. The study traces the normative content (shared/common values) underlying integration in Africa, concluding that integration has been born on new ideals such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Expectedly, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as building blocks of the prospective African Economic Community (AEC) under the African Union (AU) regime are mandated to play a vital role in moving the continent forward upon these values. The inquiry is extended to the institutions of ECOWAS to determine their capacity to effectively implement the new mandate of the organization and operate supranationally. In the process, key legal and institutional shortcomings are discussed, particularly in relation to national institutions. It is argued that while human rights protection enhances the normative legitimacy of ECOWAS, it must not be pursued in isolation. Economic integration and protection of citizens’ rights are co-terminus and mutually reinforcing. Hence, community institutions must reflect this link if they are to be effective. The study concludes on the note that, while ECOWAS possesses layers of legitimacy, and have carried out legitimation steps, it cannot be considered a legitimate organization if Member States continue to be non-compliant with community objectives and if key legal questions remain unaddressed. It is submitted that ECOWAS is merely undergoing legitimation, whether it can eventually be considered a legitimate organization is dependent on addressing the identified challenges.

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Weregwe, Christopher Mba. "Safeguarding the right to freedom from torture in Cameroon." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4420.

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Magister Legum - LLM
The international community saw the need to completely eradicate the use of torture and, as a result, adopted the 1984 Convention against Torture. The Convention obliges states to take effective legislative, judicial, and administrative and any other measures necessary to prevent acts of torture and other forms of ill-treatment within their jurisdictions. Cameroon, following the preamble of its Constitution, which prohibits torture in all its form, ratified the Convention in 1986 and other international treaties that deal with the prohibition of the use of torture. According to article 45 of the Constitution, duly ratified international treaties and conventions enter into force following their publication into the national territory. Cameroon has amended its Constitution and incorporated intoits domestic laws, provisions which prohibit the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. It goes further to prescribe appropriate penalties for public officials and other persons working in official capacity, who subject detainees and prison inmates to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.Despite all these instruments and mechanisms put in place to prevent and eradicate the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, this heinous crime continues to be widespread and is practiced systematically in almost all regions in the country and with impunity. This study will analyse whether Cameroon has put in place adequate constitutional and legal framework and mechanisms to guarantee the right to freedom from torture and other forms of ill-treatment for persons deprived of their liberty.

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Kasongo, Tshimpaka. "The implementation of the socio-economic rights provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights at the national level : a case study of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/4767.

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Magister Legum - LLM
This mini-thesis examines the issue of the implementation of the socio-economic rights provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples‘ Rights (ACHPR) at the national level, in a case study of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These rights which comprise the right to property, the right to work, the right to health, the right to education and the protection of the family and cultural rights in Articles 14 to 18 of the ACHPR are provided for and guaranteed in the DRC Constitution of 18 February 2006 in Articles 34 to 48 and, accordingly, are legally enforceable under the Constitution. This study was motivated by the fact that despite the enforceability of these rights under the DRC Constitution, the real situation in the DRC remains worrying in that the economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) of the ACHPR are violated from day to day by the government. The majority of Congolese live in poverty, disease and ignorance; they lack jobs, food and other basic necessities, such as, water and electricity, in spite of DRC‘s abundant natural resources (such as, oil and gas); minerals (such as cobalt, vanadium, manganese, phosphate, and bauxite); iron ore; and precious tropical rain forests. This situation is due to certain reasons, including: bad governance; mismanagement of public finances by political authorities at the expense of the majority; lack or weakness of the institutions or organs of implementation; and the ignorance of the Congolese people about their socio-economic rights even if they are massively violated by their government. Consequently, the marginalisation of socio-economic rights which results in their non-protection and non-realisation in DRC leads to a low expectation of the State and Government by the people, corruption, exclusion, racism, xenophobia, inequality, diseases, poverty, a feeling of betrayal of the people, a crisis of state and governmental legitimacy, popular insurrections and civil war in the country. To prevent the above consequences requires the DRC State to comply with Article 1 of the ACHPR which declares that the Member States of the Organization of African Unity that are parties to the ACHPR shall recognise the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in it and shall undertake to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to them. In addition, as the ACHPR complements human rights protection at the domestic level where the rights protected in the Charter should be realised, it is important for DRC to ensure that the ESCR of the ACHPR protected in its Constitution are given full legal effect under domestic law, such that the Charter‘s rights are made justiciable.

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Amollo, Rebecca. "A critical reflection on the African Women's Protocol as a means to combat HIV/AIDS among women in Africa." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_3083_1190369553.

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It is within the context of the persistent feminisation of the HIV and AIDS pandemic that this study, based on the normative provisions of the African Women's Protocol, focused on gender, sex and sexuality in the context of HIV and AIDS. The regime of the African Women's Protocol embodies a framework that can be utilised to combat HIV/AIDS amongst women in Africa by addressing some of the most important issues that need to be tackled if women are to live through this epidemic.

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36

Viljoen, Frans. "Realisation of human rights in Africa through inter-governmental institutions." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/27810.

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Mandipa, Esau. "A critical analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks for the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18613.

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The Zimbabwean society views persons with disabilities (PWDs) ‘as useless liabilities that have no role to play in society.’ The Zimbabwean Government has also forgotten PWDs since they are not mentioned in all the country’s national budgets. This has led to uncountable barriers faced by PWDs in their bid to be included as equal members of the society. Some of the barriers are constant discrimination, sheer poverty, lack of access to mainstream public services and stigma. Hundreds to thousands of PWDs beg for alms in the streets of every town and city. Zimbabwe then has to be reminded that all PWDs have: a right to enjoy a decent life, as normal and full as possible, a right which lies at the heart of the right to human dignity. This right should be jealously guarded and forcefully protected by all states party to the African Charter in accordance with the well established principle that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Thus, the era of silence when it comes to the realisation of the rights of PWDs in Zimbabwe has to come to an end. All PWDs in Zimbabwe should know that it is by right and not by privilege to be guaranteed full and effective participation, and inclusion in society. It is time for Zimbabwe to embrace all the rights for PWDs without any hesitation. It is time for humanity to celebrate the inherent dignity, individual autonomy, independence and the right not to be discriminated against for all PWDs. Every lawmaker in Zimbabwe has to be reminded to delete from the statute books all laws which view disability as a medical problem and instead, pass laws which are in line with the human rights-based approach which is a more enlightened, realistic and people-centred approach to disability. No time to play but plenty of time to work…!
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2011.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
nf2012
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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Birker, Matthieu. "La défense contentieuse des intérêts collectifs devant les commissions et cours régionales des droits de l'homme." Thesis, Strasbourg, 2012. http://www.theses.fr/2012STRAA008.

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La tension entre la singularité de chaque individu et la dimension sociale de l’être humain est souvent réduite par le droit à une contradiction. Fondé sur la nécessité de protéger la dignité individuelle et les droits qui lui sont attachés contre les atteintes portées par la collectivité et ses institutions, le droit européen des droits de l’homme fait ainsi figure de rempart à la suprématie du groupe sur l’individu. Cependant, le développement de nouveaux systèmes régionaux de protection des droits de l’homme en Amériques et en Afrique fondés sur des traités moins empreints de l’antagonisme entre l’individuel et le collectif, ainsi que la multiplication de groupes sociaux prétendant détenir et faire valoir leurs intérêts, mettent en évidence la dimension sociale de l’individu et font entrer les intérêts collectifs dans la sphère juridique. Cette étude vise à rechercher si cette dimension est, à ce point, constitutive de l’humanité de l’individu que les intérêts que ce dernier détient conjointement et indissociablement avec tout ou partie ses semblables sont des droits de l’homme, qui devraient être consacrés et défendus comme tels
The tension between the uniqueness of each individual and the social dimension of the human being is often reduced by law to a contradiction. European human rights law is seen as a bulwark against the supremacy of the group over the individual, as it is based on the need to protect individual dignity and the rights attached to it against attacks by the wider community and its institutions. However, the development of new regional systems of human rights protection in the Americas and Africa based on conventions that are less imbued with the antagonism between the individual and the collective, as well as the proliferation of groups claiming to have interests and to defend them, highlight the social dimension of the individual and bring collective interests to the legal sphere. This study aims to investigate whether this dimension is so inherent to the humanity of the individual, that the interests that the latter owns jointly and inseparably with all or part of his fellows are human rights, which should be enshrined and defended as such

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Armadhila, Nelago Ndapandula. "Is the African Union’s decision on the ICC and the adoption of Article 46A Bis of the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights unlawful under international law?" Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13188.

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Includes bibliographic references.
The proceedings brought against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto for post-election election violence in 2007 by the International Criminal Court has resulted in action by the African Union that undermines individual criminal responsibility for heads of state and government officials and for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. This thesis will assess whether the African Union’s decision to not cooperate with the International Criminal Court, and the adoption of Article 46A Bis of the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights is unlawful under the principles of international law. This thesis will also assess how these decisions will impact Africa’s ability to promote and protect human rights on the continent.

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Amadhila, Nelago Ndapandula. "Is the African Union’s decision on the ICC and the adoption of Article 46A Bis of the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human rights unlawful under international law?" Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12822.

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Includes bibliographical references.
The proceedings brought against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto for post-election election violence in 2007 by the International Criminal Court has resulted in action by the African Union that undermines individual criminal responsibility for heads of state and government officials and for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. This thesis will assess whther the African Union’s decision to not cooperate with the International Criminal Court , and the adoption of Article 46A Bis of the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights is unlawful under the principles of international law. This thesis will also assess how thes e decisions will impact Africa’s ability to promote and protect human rights on the continent.

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Gambaraza, Marc. "Le statut juridique de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’Homme." Thesis, Paris 2, 2013. http://www.theses.fr/2013PA020073/document.

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Le statut juridique de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'Homme, qui a fait l'objet de controverses lors de son adoption, a évolué depuis. Sur le plan international, la Déclaration universelle fait désormais partie du corpus juridique du droit interne de l'ONU et a été reconnue comme un instrument obligatoire par la doctrine et les organes judiciaires et quasi-judiciaires. Sur le plan national, elle a été incorporée dans de nombreux ordres internes en suivant des dynamiques propres à quatre espaces transrégionaux (Common Law, Amérique Latine, Europe et Afrique). Cette double évolution a modifié le statut intrinsèque de la DUDH, qui fait désormais partie des sources non-conventionnelles du droit obligatoire, bien que certains ordres juridiques refusent d'admettre sa force contraignante. Son applicabilité repose ainsi sur la formulation des droits qu'elle énonce
The legal status of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was subject to controversy at the time it was adopted, has evolved since then. At the international level, the Universal Declaration has become part of the United Nations legal corpus and has been recognized as a binding instrument by publicists and judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. At the national level, it has been incorporated into many domestic legal systems following dynamics related to four trans-regional areas (Common Law, Latin America, Europe and Africa). This double evolution has changed the intrinsic status of the UDHR, which is now part of the non-conventional sources of mandatory law, though some legal systems deny its binding force. Its applicability is therefore based on the formulation of the rights it contains

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Kameldy, Neldjingaye. "Challenging impunity in northern Uganda : the tension between amnesties and the principle of international criminal responsibility." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/5448.

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This dissertation intends to analyse the practice of amnesties in the context of grave human rights violations using northern Uganda as a case study. It also examines its consistency with the obligation upon states to protect human rights through the prosecution of perpetrators of the said violations. It will, accordingly, analyse the implications of the complementary mandate of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to national jurisdictions. Furthermore, the author also explores the tension which results from national amnesties and the principle of international criminal responsibility, a principle that the ICC has the mandate to enforce.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007.
A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr Ben Kiromba Twinomugisha of the Faculty of Law, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

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Namwase, Sylvie. "The Principle of Legality and the prosecution of international crimes in domestic courts: lessons from Uganda." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2011. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_9280_1363774835.

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Matignon, Emilie. "La justice en transition. Le cas du Burundi." Thesis, Pau, 2012. http://www.theses.fr/2012PAUU2015.

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En réponse aux cycles de violences de masse et à la guerre civile qui ont jalonné son histoire douloureuse, le Burundi s’est engagé dans un processus de justice transitionnelle, officiellement depuis la signature des Accords de paix d’Arusha en 2000. Malgré la mobilisation des énergies internationales et l’omniprésence de la problématique au sein du débat public depuis douze ans, seules des consultations nationales destinées à recueillir l’avis de la population burundaise sur le sujet ont été organisées en 2009. Á l’aube de la mise en place d’une Commission Nationale de Vérité et de Réconciliation, à laquelle devrait être associé un tribunal spécial, le constat de la nature globale de la justice transitionnelle s’impose. Cette globalité s’exprime à travers le recours à des instruments à la fois judiciaires et extra-judiciaires mais également à des outils ayant vocation à s’appliquer de façon immédiate (ou conjoncturelle) et durable (ou structurelle). D’une part, dans une perspective normative et légaliste, le processus global de justice transitionnelle semble être cause d’inerties et de blocages comme peut a priori l’illustrer le cas du Burundi. D’autre part, à la lumière d’une approche systémique et inclusive, la globalité est au contraire source d’évolutions et d’émulations qui stimulent la créativité de la justice transitionnelle comme le démontre également le Burundi. Cette justice elle-même en transition est en réalité une justice réconciliatrice porteuse de doutes mais aussi d’espoirs. Elle est une justice complexe qui s’invente chaque jour, qui ne peut être efficace et efficiente qu’à condition d’être adaptée, légitime et appropriée par ceux à qui elle est destinée. Elle implique que soient trouvées des réponses satisfaisantes aux souffrances et aux besoins indissociables des victimes et des auteurs des violences de masse d’hier et des injustices sociales d’aujourd’hui. Elle a aussi pour ambition de prévenir la commission des crimes du futur en participant au renforcement de l’État de droit et, de façon plus globale, de rompre avec l’histoire de violences symboliques et actives subies et perpétrées au Burundi
As an answer to cycles of mass violence in Burundi, a transitional justice process has been opened. The Burundian case study presents some particularities among this kind of process. Whereas the Arusha peace and reconciliation agreement for Burundi in 2000 decided setting up two transitional justice instruments, a special court and a Truth Reconciliation Commission, the transitional justice process has not begun yet. Only National Consultations were organized in 2009. The negotiations and the mediation occurred during the ongoing war. There were no winners and no losers but just armed men who decided to discuss in order to conquer the power and then to keep it. That may explain why negotiations were so longer and staggered. A sort of consociativisme system was set up in Burundi as the model organization of power-sharing. Inside the politic game of power-sharing the peace-justice dilemma appears through instrumentalization of retributive justice which is assimilated to justice and the truth and pardon which claim referring to peace. Another particularity is found regarding numerous judicial and legal reforms relatively to children rights, lands conflict, electoral law or Criminal Code. On the eve of the implementation of the Truth Reconciliation Commission, the global nature of the transitional justice process is obvious. The Burundian context appears as an illustration of the extensive meaning of transitional justice which represents a justice in transition. The global nature of the matter is emerging through its temporal and disciplinary versatility. On one hand, transitional justice seems to be past justice, currently justice and future justice at the same time and on the other hand it may take several forms out of the official one, initially predicted. In a legalist and normative view, global nature of justice in transition might cause deadlock regarding the case of Burundi. In a systemic and multidisciplinary perspective, global nature of justice in transition reveals change capacities according to the case of Burundi. What really matter in such transitional justice process is relieving victims and perpetrators’sufferings which are undeniably linked and bringing answers to each protagonist of the crime as to the society with the permanent and ambitious aim of reconciliation

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Ingange-wa-ingange, Jean Desire. "The African human rights system : challenges and prospects." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/3698.

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The world has seen gradual evolution of regional human rights arrangements. The adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, was followed by the creation of numerous regional instruments that address concerns of particular importance in the regional context. Three world regions, Africa, the Americas and Europe, have established their respective regional instruments together with the supervisory mechanism, such as commissions and courts. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, with its emphasis on group rights and individual duties challenges the Western liberal account of rights, as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The cultural differences brought to the fore not only the tension between individual and group rights but also the question as to whether of the universalism of human rights is possible. The study advocates for a moderate universalism of human rights, which can only be achieved through a dialogue among different cultural approaches to the notion of human rights. This study examines the content and substance of human rights norms of the African system with a view to recommending the possible strategies for their reform. Its central thesis is, the system is rather weak and therefore needs to be reformed. Toward this end, the study analyses the provisions of the African Charter. Thereafter, it explores its weaknesses and proposes strategies for their reform. The African human rights mechanisms face a number of common and particular challenges. Prospectively, Africa is going through a tremendous and interesting phase. These challenges are not insurmountable.
Constitutional, International and Indigenous Law
LL.D.

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46

Bortfeld, Mathias R. "The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights : prospects and procedures : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws in the University of Canterbury /." 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1598.

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Mutisya, Fidelis Katonga. "Assessment of the quality of international court libraries: a study of the African Union Court on Human and Peoples’ rights Library." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25527.

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Text in English
The study sought to assess the quality of library services by investigating the gaps between various service quality variables using the LibQUAL, SERVQUAL and SERVPERF models. The pragmatic paradigm formed the basis of this study while the mixed methods approach was adopted. The convergent parallel mixed methods design where both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and data were integrated was adopted. Using the side-by-side comparison style, both sets of data were separately analysed and presented. The results were then compared to establish if they confirm or disconfirm each other. Questionnaires were administered to 94 users of the library. To calculate the level of service quality, the study measured the service adequacy gap (SAG), service superiority gap (SSG), zone of tolerance (ZoT), and D-M scores. Followup focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to validate, supplement and further explore the issues that arose from data collected using the questionnaires. The findings revealed a gap between the users’ expectations and perceptions of service quality and that library services were not meeting users’ expectations. The users’ expectations exceeded their perceptions since all service quality scores (SAG, SSG, ZoT and D-M scores) were either low or negative. Generally, the library performed well in the dimensions that touch on human aspects of the library but did poorly in the aspects that touch on information collections, library space and equipment. There were no significant differences between the protocols, with the overall gaps between perceptions and desires being all negative. The findings of the FGDs confirmed those of the questionnaires. The study recommended that the Court should allocate resources in a way that ensures human aspects of the library remain at high levels of service quality, while the shortcomings on aspects of information control, library space and equipment addressed. However, while addressing the physical space aspects, the library should bear in mind that users did not rate them as important for their purposes. This means that the library will need to invest in electronic content that can be accessed remotely by users. In view of the findings, the study concluded by developing a service quality framework on quality improvement and its sustenance at the library and the Court at large.
Information Science
D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

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Singh, Sandhiya. "The eradication of domestic expediency by the African court on human and peoples' rights : lessons from Europe." Thesis, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/9519.

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The proposed African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights is an important development in the history of Africa. For the first time, there will be a regional judicial mechanism for the adjudication of human rights issues. The difficulty may lie in the manner in which the Court applies its discretion in relation to the doctrine of margin of appreciation and derogations. As a subsidiary body that has a power of review, the Court must tread warily when applying these principles. Lessons may be learnt from the well established European Court of Human Rights which has applied and developed the doctrine of margin of appreciation and has had occasion to examine the manner and extent of derogations from the European Convention. Applying this knowledge in an African context is important, but there must be discretion in that application that takes the particular circumstances of Africa into account.
Thesis (LL.M.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2003.

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Mbondenyi, Morris Kiwinda. "Investigating the challenges in enforcing international human rights law in Africa : towards an effective regional system." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2957.

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This study is entitled ‘investigating the challenges in enforcing international human rights law in Africa: Towards an effective regional system’. It centres around a critical research problem namely: what challenges beset regional enforcement of human rights law in Africa and how can they be addressed to ensure the effective promotion and protection of human rights in the continent? It critically reviews and revisits the discourses and scholarly arguments on the crucial issue of regional enforcement of human rights law in Africa. It traverses through historical epochs in order to explain the origins, scope and evolution of human rights law in Africa. This is done in the quest for answers to questions such as: When and how did Africa’s regional human rights system originate? What factors led to its emergence? Was the concept of human rights recognised in Africa prior to European colonial rule? What is the present status of international human rights in Africa? It therefore lays the foundations for a better understanding of the historical and philosophical origins and evolution of Africa’s regional human rights system. The study then proceeds to review the normative and institutional mechanisms established in Africa to enforce human rights at the regional level. Particularly, it highlights the roles of the African Commission and Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the light of their contribution to, and challenges in, the enforcement of human rights in the region. The study concludes with recommendations on the possible ways to invigorate the African human rights system. One of the key findings is that, with appropriate reforms, the system can be more effective.
Constitutional, International & Indigenous Law
LL.D. (Public, Constitutional and International Law)

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Bruner, Tomáš. "Obrácený orientalismus: kritická analýza Afrického soudu pro lidská práva a práva národů." Master's thesis, 2014. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-333036.

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This thesis uses the Critical theory to explore the history and functioning of African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. This judicial institution was established in 1998. However, it did not rule any decision on the merits until 2013. All cases had been refused because it lacked the jurisdiction. Finally in 2013, two judgments were issued that solved the factual situation of applicants. Nevertheless, the danger still exists that the Court will function only if the states will allow it to do so. Such inactivity of the Court is firmly inconsistent with the intensity of human rights violations on the African continent. In the same way, it falsifies the presuppositions of liberal institutionalism that the international institutions should strengthen cooperation between states and contribute to the development of mutually interconnected areas: economic development, democracy and human rights protection. The thesis is an empirical case study which opposes the liberal-institutional ideas. It uses the Critical theory in narrow sense to show that those ideas played certain role in the establishment of the Court. Nonetheless, the real willingness of the states to empower the Court with authority and limit their sovereignty was absent. The Court, as a procedural enlargement of substantive human rights...

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'African Court of Human and People's Rights'

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