Subjects:

Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Contents:

Introduction: the African Charter and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’

Rights

Germain Baricako

1. The African Union and the regional human rights system

Gino Naldi

2. The reporting mechanism of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’

Rights

Malcolm Evans and Rachel Murray

3. Communications under the African Charter: procedure and admissibility

Frans Viljoen

4. Evidence and fact finding by the African Commission

Rachel Murray

5. Civil and political rights in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’

Rights: Articles 1-7

Bronwen Manby

6. Civil and political rights in the African Charter: Articles 8-14

Kolawole Olaniyan

7. Group rights

Clive Baldwin and Cynthia Morel

8. The role of non-governmental organisations and national human rights institutions at the African Commission

Nobuntu Mbelle

9. A view from inside: the role of the Secretariat

Fiona Adolu

10. The special rapporteurs in the African system

Rachel Murray

11. Working groups of the African Commission and their role in developing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’

Rights

Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga

12. Creation of a new Court of Justice and Human Rights

Ibrahima Kane and Ahmed C. Motala

13. Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa

Fareda Banda.

The African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights came into force in 1986, and is unique in that it lacks a precedent. However, little scholarship exists analysing it as an operational system in practice. The success of the first edition of this book has led to this updated second edition. Contributors include experts who have been actively involved in the implementation of the Charter – commissioners, NGOs and academics.

Offering a detailed evaluation of the Charter as a mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa, the contributions cover the Charter’s reporting system, the interpretation of different rights by the Commission, the prospects for the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the role of NGOs. This authoritative and comprehensive volume will interest lawyers acting for government and non-governmental organisations, as well as academics and postgraduates.

• Updated edition includes new chapters reflecting changes in the system
• Contributors include experts who have been closely involved in the operation of the African Charter and can therefore offer first-hand experience
• More than just a theoretical discussion, in that the contributors also examine the practice of the Commission in the implementation of the Charter