African System – Page 12 – International Justice Resource Center

African Court Addresses Freedom of Expression in Burkina Faso, in Landmark Judgment

February 3, 2015 IJRC African System, civil society, due process & judicial protection, thought, expression & association

For the first time in its eight-year tenure, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Court) has directly considered the right to freedom of expression, and the validity of legislation that criminalizes defamation. The case, Lohé Issa Konaté v. Burkina Faso, involved a journalist’s conviction, imprisonment, and substantial fine in connection with his reporting. [AfCHPR Press Release] In

Extraordinary Rendition Victim Seeks Reconsideration from ACHPR in Djibouti Complaint

December 5, 2014 IJRC African System, due process & judicial protection, liberty & security of person, security & rule of law, Uncategorized

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has rejected a complaint concerning Djibouti’s alleged involvement in the extraordinary rendition and mistreatment of a Yemeni national, in an inadmissibility decision released last month. See ACommHPR, Mohammed Abdullah Saleh Al-Asad v. Djibouti, Communication No. 383/2010, 55th Ordinary Session, 14 October 2014. The Commission held that evidence pointing to the wrongful detention of Mohammed Abdullah

AfCHPR to Hear Cases on Indigenous Rights and Due Process

November 18, 2014 IJRC African System, civil society, discrimination, due process & judicial protection, economic, social & cultural rights, indigenous communities

From November 24 to December 5, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights will hold its 35th Ordinary Session. The session will feature two public hearings in the cases of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights v. Kenya, concerning indigenous rights, and Thomas v. Tanzania, regarding the right to fair trial and due process. The first case will

Three New Judges Elected to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

July 22, 2014 IJRC African System, international human rights

The Assembly of the African Union appointed four judges to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) during its 25th Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Three of the judges, Mrs. Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Mr. Rafaa Ben Achour (Tunisia), and Mr. Angelo Vasco Matusse (Mozambique), are new to the AfCHPR and the fourth, Justice Sylvain Oré (Côte d’Ivoire), was re-elected to serve

African Union Approves Immunity for Government Officials in Amendment to African Court of Justice and Human Rights’ Statute

July 2, 2014 IJRC African System, crime & impunity, ICTR, ICTY, International Criminal Court, international criminal law

In a controversial decision, the African Union has decided to specifically exempt senior government officials from prosecution by a proposed regional human rights court, which will otherwise be authorized to try individuals accused of crimes against humanity and other serious international crimes. At its 23rd Ordinary Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea last week, the Assembly of the African Union (AU) adopted an amendment to

World Refugee Day 2014 Draws Attention to Record Number of Displaced Persons

June 23, 2014 IJRC African System, immigration & asylum, Inter-American System, international human rights

On Friday, June 20th the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and nations around the world marked World Refugee Day with diverse tributes and activities. In its efforts to raise awareness about the struggles faced by refugees, UNHCR emphasized that the number of displaced persons in 2013 was the highest in the post-World War II era.

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Adopts Resolution Condemning Violence and Discrimination against LGBTI Persons

June 10, 2014 IJRC African System, discrimination, human rights defenders, LGBTI rights

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a landmark resolution (Resolution 275) condemning acts of violence, discrimination and other human rights violations against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity during its 55th Ordinary Session held from April 28 to May 12, 2014 in Luanda, Angola. See ACommHPR, Res. 275: Protection Against Violence and other Human

African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Holds 55th Ordinary Session in Angola

May 7, 2014 IJRC African System

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) opened its 55th Ordinary Session on April 28, 2014 in Luanda, Angola. During this session, which continues through May 12, the Commission is scheduled to discuss the human rights situation in Africa, consider State reports, and hear activity reports from members of the Commission and its special mechanisms. [ACHPR]

Join the Conversation: Engaging with Regional Human Rights Mechanisms

April 18, 2014 IJRC African System, civil society, European System, human rights defenders, IJRC Updates, Inter-American System, regional human rights protection

Join the International Justice Resource Center and the New Tactics community for an online conversation on Engaging Regional Human Rights Mechanisms from April 21 to 25, 2014. IJRC’s executive director, Lisa Reinsberg, will join experts and practitioners from around the world in discussing the practical details of seeking justice, accountability, and reform through the regional human rights systems.

African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Issues Judgment in Killing of Investigative Journalist

April 8, 2014 IJRC African System, due process & judicial protection, labor rights, liberty & security of person, right to life, thought, expression & association

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights recently delivered four judgments, including a noteworthy decision in the case of the Beneficiaries of the Late Norbert Zongo and others v. Burkina Faso. [AfCHPR] The Court rendered its decisions during its 32nd Ordinary Session, held in from March 10 to 28 at the Court’s seat in Arusha, Tanzania.