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2023
This paper considered the views of Some human rights scholars who considered the African Chapter on Human and Peoples' Rights' as a failure, especially its coverage on civil and political rights to be inadequate as a regional Framework. For example, the right to privacy or a right against forced or compulsory labour are not explicitly recognized. The provisions
Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice, 2007
Human Rights, The Rule of Law, and Development in Africa raises some of the most topical issues in the discourse of human rights in Africa. Composed of seventeen chapters, the book is divided into three parts: universalism and relativism in human rights discourse, the economic and political dimensions of human rights, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and struggles for human rights. Part I consists of six chapters, all of which approach the universalismversus-relativism debate from philosophical, historical, political, and economic perspectives. Together, these chapters overwhelmingly reject the Western appropriation of human rights and argue, instead, for a cross-cultural understanding of human rights. The authors argue that the preoccupation with the intellectual progeny of human rights by scholars does grave damage to the global human rights discourse and movement. By claiming that human rights are culturally specifi c to the West, these scholars homogenize and oversimplify the human rights traditions of both the West and the rest of the world, thereby undermining theoretical advances "that can come from serious and sustained intra-and intercultural comparisons and conversations". 1 These chapters also draw attention to four analytical traps which bedevil the universalism-relativism debate. The debate tends to be idealistic: human rights are often reduced to ideas which have a life of their own unrelated to social struggles; it tends to be legalistic in the sense that courts, not culture, enjoy primacy of authority where the existence of human rights is the issue, while procedure, not practice, tends to be conclusive of the observance or respect for human rights; the debate is also dualistic in the way that it polarizes or prioritizes human rights into civil and political rights against social and economic rights and vice-versa despite the emphasis on interdependence and indivisibility of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; fi nally, the debate is ethnocentric: the source of human rights is often located in the West by both the relativists and the universalists. The overarching argument of the chapters of this part is for a holistic view of human rights, for contextualization and intellectual openness, in the acknowledgement that "the construction of a universal human rights regime is a work in progress to which different societies have a role, indeed a right, to contribute." 2 The chapters, thus, urge the reader to consider human rights as ideas and social practices which are not cast in stone, but which
2020
The root of most Human Rights discussions in Africa stems from the input of the west. This tracing of everything human right in Africa to sources outside Africa gives the impression that the idea of the better morality, better religion, better idea of right as distinct from wrong and better idea of human rights was introduced by foreign forces into our “barbaric practice and tradition”. The writer as a prelude to our discussion will be examining the concepts "Africa" and “human rights”, going further to refute the erroneous assertion as evidenced supra that human rights is a relatively new concept to Africa, concluding the discussion with a subtle outlook of the African Charter.
https://journal.unwira.ac.id/index.php/LUMENVERITATIS, 2020
The aim of this article is to propose a theoretical reflection of the urgent contextualization of Human Rights in African countries. As we know, Human Rights are transversal, that every people are a consequence of historical, social and political contexts. This article tries to defend that it is possible to avoid Western imperialism in the name of Human Rights with its form of universalism. For Africa, the context of Ubuntu is a good alternative.
Abstract: The African Charter of Human Rights was established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) to promote and protect human rights. In this study, we shall focus our attention on the history of (OAU) now (AU), its major organs, composition, powers and functions of the organs under the system. We shall also look at the body of rights and instruments adopted to protect these rights under the African Charter and to also examine problems facing the African Charter on human rights and peoples’ right. We adopted a multidisciplinary approach in this study, having regard that it is focused on legal and historical perspectives. Our findings are that the Charter has several problems confronting it and also, Article 30 of the Charter establishes the enforcement and implementation of human and peoples’ rights by states’ parties. Also, we observed that the African Charter should be reformed and a court with full judicial powers be created to cater for the north, south, east and western states that make-up the African Union. The study concludes that the frequent violations of human and peoples’ rights within African states could be avoided, if the excesses of various organs of the AU are properly checked. Key words: African charter, analysis, human and peoples’ rights
South African Journal on Human Rights , 2006
Foster Tawiah, 2021
This paper presents an assessment of the main provisions, strength and weakness of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights 1.0.Introduction The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, also known as 'Banjul Charter', is a regional human rights instrument which was opened for endorsement by the members of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1981, and subsequently laid the foundation for African legal systems. It came into force on 21 October 1986 after a simple majority of the members of the organisation had deposited instruments of ratification. It is clear that whilst striving to reflect an African conception of human rights the drafters recognized that it would not be prudent to deviate too much from universal norms of human rights already contained in other international human rights instruments. Therefore, it is argued that the ratification of the Charter by the African states was influenced, to a great extent, by the inherent obligation of member states of the United Nations (UN) to adhere to the provisions contained in the UN Charter and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of the UN, as well as the UN Covenants of 1966, namely the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. However, it should be noted that the existence of such international human rights declarations and covenants was not the sole basis for framing the African Charter. The Charter was drafted without disregard to different cultural tradition, levels of development and political ideologies in the new emerging post-colonial African States. Although, the goal of promoting respect for dignity remains
South African Journal on Human Rights, 2001
It is common knowledge that there are a number of features about the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (hereafter, 'the Charter')' which have given cause for concern. 2 One of the principal sources of disquiet has been the fact that, more so than other comparable instruments, the substantive provisions of the Charter are equivocally phrased. 3 Extensive use is made of 'clawback' clauses (which permit 'in normal circumstances, breach of an obligation for a specified number of published reasons' 4) that seem to make the enforcement of rights dependent on municipal law, or at the discretion of the national authorities. 5 Article I 0(1) of the Charter is one such Adopted by the Eighteenth Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) at Nairobi in July 1981, entered into force on 21 October 1986, (1982) 21 ILM 58. See GJ Naldi (ed) Documenrs o{the Organi=ation (){African Unity (1992) 109. All of the OAU's fifty-three Member States have now ratified the Charter, seeR Murray 'Africa' (1999) 17 NQH R 350. For an analysis of the Charter. see EA Ankumah The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (1996) 111-177: GJ Naldi The Organization of African Unity 2ed (1999) 109-212; UO Umozurike The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1997); E Bello 'The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights' (1985/86) 194 Hague Recuei/13; RM D'Sa 'The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: Problems and Prospects for Regional Action' (1981/83) 10 Australian Yearbook of International Law 101. 2 The Charter has been described as 'modest in its objectives and flexible in its means'. BO Okere 'The Protection of Human Rights in Africa and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: A Comparative Analysis with the European and American Systems' (1984) 6 Human Rights Quarterly 141, 158. For other sceptical assessments, see R Gittleman 'The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: A Legal Analysis' (1982) 22 Virginia J of International L 667; P Amoah, 'The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights-An Effective Weapon for Human Rights?' (1992) RADIC 226: G Robertson, Crimes Against Humanity (1999) 57-58. D'Sa (note I above) 107-8; Gittleman (note 2 above) 685. CA Odinkalu 'The Individual Complaints Procedures of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights: A Preliminary Assessment' (1998) 8 Transnational L & Contemporary Problems 359, 398 however expresses little concern, as he believes that the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights has been addressing this problem through its procedures and jurisprudence. 4 R Higgins 'Derogations under Human Rights Treaties' (1976-77) 48 BYIL 281. 5 It is interesting to note that, unlike other similar human rights treaties, the Charter does not contain a derogation clause that permits the suspension of certain rights and freedoms in strictly defined circumstances. See R Murray The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and International Lall' (2000) 123-26 and generally DJ Harris, M O'Boyle & C Warbrick Law o{ the European Con\'ention 011 Human Rights (1995) 489-506. Thus, in Commission Nationale des Droit.1• de /'Homme et des Lihates I' Chad Communication No 74/92 (1997) 41HRR 94 (state of civil war led to serious and massive violations of human rights, including rights to life, prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and liberty and security of the person) para 21 the Commission observed that the Charter 'does not allow for States Parties to derogate from their treaty obligations during emergency situations. Thus, even a civil war in Chad cannot be used as an excuse by the State violating or permitting violations of rights in the
Departing from the premise that human rights are those rights possessed by virtue of being human, this contribution revisits the traditional classification of human rights into three 'generations' of rights. The author criticises aspects of this division from an African perspective, such as the prioritisation of civil and political ('first generation') rights above other 'generations', as well as the inappropriate classification of the right to culture with other socioeconomic ('second generation') rights and the right to development as a 'third generation' right. A proposal is then made for the reconfiguration of rights into the following four categories: civil and political rights, social and survival rights, economic, developmental and environmental rights and cultural and spiritual rights.
Penn State Law Review , 2004
The African Regional Human Rights System is one of the world's most unique human rights mechanisms. It is an integrated system consisting of numerous institutions and instruments, such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. This system was created to promote and safeguard human rights on the African continent. Unique in its conception, the African Regional Human Rights System is founded on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasises the interconnectedness and interdependence of humans. This philosophy acknowledges that human rights are not only individual rights, but also collective rights that are vital to the well-being of the entire community.1Consequently, the African Regional Human Rights System aims to promote and protect not only civil and political rights, but also economic, social, and cultural rights, which are essential for the development and prosperity of African societies. The African Regional Human Rights System has, over time, developed a comprehensive set of norms and principles that reflect the values and aspirations of African people. The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which was adopted in 1981, is the foundation of this system. It provides a comprehensive framework for the preservation and promotion of human rights in Africa, and the overwhelming majority of African states have ratified it. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which is primarily responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Charter, has also produced a vast corpus of jurisprudence and recommendations that have helped to shape human rights norms and practises in Africa.2 However, despite the significant accomplishments of the African Regional Human Rights System, its implementation faces obstacles. Some African states' lack of political will and resources to fulfil their human rights obligations is one of the greatest obstacles. The limited ability of some institutions, such as the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, to effectively implement their decisions and rulings is another obstacle.3 This essay examines the African Regional Human Rights System and its primary characteristics, as well as its conceptualization, the role of the African Union, and the participation of regional stakeholders. In addition, it will examine whether the concept of an African human rights system is based on an essentially "western" approach, whether the standards set by the African human rights are imported or solely reflect the rich African legacy, the extent to which the African values are derived from cultural and tribal traditions, and whether they reflect different cultural values and norms. This essay will conclude by shedding light on the larger human rights debate on universalism and cultural relativism, and whether or not African human rights are included.
African Human Rights Law Journal, 2006
This article analyses the impact that recent and current developments on the African continent have had, and continue to have, on the promotion and protection of human rights. Such developments include the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, the formation of the African Union to replace the Organization of African Unity, democratic change in Africa and the advent of a new constitutionalism that embraces the concept of a bill of rights. An understanding of recent and current trends in the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa has to take into account the historical and international context within which the African system operates. Several challenges still inhibit the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa, including various ongoing regional and internal conflicts, the prevalence of poverty, ignorance and diseases, the predominance of political and social disharmony and the continued existence of unacceptable cultural and custo...
This article analyses the impact that recent and current developments on the African continent have had, and continue to have, on the promotion and protection of human rights. Such developments include the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, the formation of the African Union to replace the Organization of African Unity, democratic change in Africa and the advent of a new constitutionalism that embraces the concept of a bill of rights. An understanding of recent and current trends in the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa has to take into account the historical and international context within which the African system operates. Several challenges still inhibit the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa, including various ongoing regional and internal conflicts, the prevalence of poverty, ignorance and diseases, the predominance of political and social disharmony and the continued existence of unacceptable cultural and customary practices. The article concludes that there are still lots of pains to endure before the African system of human rights protection can favourably compare with its more advanced counterparts.
Why is the human rights situation so dismal in Africa? Scholarly answers to this question have typically fallen into two categories. An accounting literature concerned with statistics generally proposes a disheartening list of human rights abuses, while offering poor hopes of progress on a continent described as submitted to increasing poverty, collapsing states, and spreading violence. A second literature argues that human rights have a place in African philosophy and social practice. A common trend of this defensive literature, however, is to discard the universal validity of Western ideas of human rights by stating that they can neither account for nor be compatible with indigenous ideas of individual dignity and human value. These perspectives convey the magnitude of the issue, but they usually end up stumbling over the evidence they both demonstrate and criticize: the absence, or exteriority, of human rights in Africa. Based on the underlying assumption that the African continent is imprisoned into such absence, either by virtue of its political depravity or moral distinction, these approaches ignore the complex historical circumstances surrounding the emergence of human rights on the continent. From the end of the nineteenth century to the 1960s human rights developed less as philosophical ideas of human dignity than as specific, historical relationships between emerging modern states (colonial governments) and reluctant civilians (the "natives").
a. Using suitable examples critically analyse the extent to which the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government may supervise the activities of the African Commission under article 59 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. b. Using appropriate case law, characterize the African Commission’s interpretive approach. To what extent does it rely on the jurisprudence of other regional systems and to what extent is its jurisprudence autochthonous? c. In your view, what are the most useful features of the African human rights system? How do the elements you have identified address the specific situation of human rights in Africa?
African Human Rights mechanisms, 2018
Regional human rights systems, consisting of regional instruments and mechanisms, play an increasingly important role in the promotion and protection of human rights. Regional human rights instruments (e.g. treaties, conventions, declarations) help to localize international human rights norms and standards, reflecting the particular human rights concerns of the region. Regional human rights mechanisms (e.g. commissions, special rapporteurs, courts) then help to implement these instruments on the ground. Currently, the three most well-established regional human rights systems exist in Europe, the Americas and Africa. Following the end of the Second World War, the international community worked towards developing an international system for the promotion and protection of human rights that is binding on member states. With a view to attaining such goal, the international human rights system developed human rights norms that apply across regimes and transcend geographical confines. The United Nations emerged as a leading organ in the universal human rights movement. Parallel to the UN, regional systems have emerged in different parts of the world (Europe, America and Africa) and contributed to the universal human rights discourse. It is believed that the regional systems were created to address gaps and inadequacies that were existent in the international system. Alleged normative disconnect between the universal standards and the realty at the regional level was often viewed as a reason that necessitated the creation of regional systems. It is argued that an international system could sometimes be too far and has to leave some space for regional peculiarities. It seems that these were the considerations that led to the creation of an African regional system for promotion and protection of human rights. This paper will Critically examine the African regional human rights system embodied in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Revista de Direito Internacional, 2022
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the African regional human rights system, emphasizing both its innovations and remaining challenges. To this end, a literature review of primary sources, as well as the jurisprudence of the human rights bodies of the African system, will be analyzed. Although this system did not start functioning until the decade of the eighties of the 20th century, it has evolved considerably once the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights was adopted. Thus, several other treaties followed it, of which the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples› Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa can be pointed out. And even though initially only the creation of protection and control mechanisms was foreseen -the African Commission on Human and People's Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child-after 1998, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights was added, which has progressively adopted a protectionist and growing jurisprudence; but also that, as its predecessors, will face different challenges, among which the reform process of the judicial bodies of the African Union themselves. In any case, the main conclusion of this article is that the innovations of the system are considerable (and largely unknown), although outstanding challenges need to be addressed to ensure the effectiveness and development of the system.
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