Decisions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Communications 2002-2007

ISBN 9983-9907-1-7; 210mm x 140mm; 456pp; Published in 2008

This volume collects the decisions extracted from the ACmHPR’s annual activity reports: namely the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th and 21st. It contains 38 separate decisions, which, taken together, form an important record of the development of the procedures of the African Commission and contain key interpretations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

Decisions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Communications 2002-2007 - Addendum

ISBN 9983-9907-3-3; 210mm x 140mm; 48pp; Published in 2008

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACmHPR) publishes its decisions as annexes to its annual activity reports. In 2005, the ACmHPR issued two 18th annual activity reports. The first was considered and adopted by the AU Executive Council at its 6th Ordinary Session in Abuja on 24-31 January 2005. The second was considered and adopted by the AU Executive Council at its 7th Ordinary Session in Tripoli held between 28 June-2 July 2005. To enable distinction between these two source documents, the first is referred to as "18th Annual Activity Report (Abuja)" and the second "18th Annual Activity Report (Tripoli)".

As the decisions published in the 18th Annual Activity Report (Abuja) were not included in the larger compilation above, IHRDA has published this addendum to complete the 2002-2007 compilation.

Compilation of Decisions on Communications of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 1994-2001

ISBN 9983-9907-0-9; 210mm x 150mm; 446pp; Published in 2002

This compilation is the first collection of African human rights jurisprudence of a continental human rights enforcement body in print. The publishing of these decisions in a single volume is pivotal as the decisions contain key interpretations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This collection contains decisions published between 1994-2001 in the 7th through to 14th annual activity reports of the ACmHPR.

Recueil Africain des Décisions des Droits Humains - 2000

ISSN 1817-194X; 247mm x 153mm; 369pp; Published in 2005

This publication is a collection of human rights decisions of:

• human rights treaty bodies of the United Nations ;
• African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights ;
• national courts of the African countries.

The publication is available in French only and is published by IHRDA and the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria under the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP)imprint.

Click here to download the book in pdf or order in bulk from the PULP website

African Commitments to Human Rights: A Review of Eight NEPAD Countries

ISBN 1-919913-51-3; 210mm x 150mm; 107pp; Published in 2004

by Giliane Cherubin-Doumbia

Respect for human rights remains at the heart of the search for peace and justice on the African continent. Of much relevance to this search is the concept of human security, which demands, amongst other things, the safeguarding of peoples’ vital freedoms. This “shadow review” of human rights observance in a selection of eight African countries is inspired by the aims and ambitions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda are considered in terms of their commitments to protecting personal safety and security, which encompasses the right to life, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, access to justice and freedom of expression. The study forms part of wider project of the African Human Security Initiative.

Road to Justice: Towards an Accessible and Effective African Court on Human Rights

Produced in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic

IHRDA teamed up with WITNESS to produce this video documentary on VHS & DVD. It presents the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights through the eyes of those who need it most, victims of human rights violations. Through their witness, they show the great need for an effective human rights court in Africa. Having suffered violation, sought redress and still awaiting reparations, they show how African states have ignored human rights decisions since these have hitherto not been legally binding. The new court wish expected to change this with its powers to bind states legally to its decisions. The Road to Justice advocates for widespread ratification of the Protocol and for non-governmental organisations and individuals to be granted direct access as petitioners. This video is accompanied by a comprehensive booklet on the steps to achieve ratification and the importance of an effective Court. to

Although created in 1998, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights only came into force in 2004. It took two years more for judges to be appointed and until now is yet to hear any cases, all the more reason for wider sensitisation on the need for an effective and accessible human rights court in Africa.

Click here to buy this video from the WITNESS website in English

Click here to buy this video from the WITNESS website in French

Making Complaints to the African Human Rights System

Call for Contributions - Mauritanie: l’identité, la justice et les déportations de 1989

IHRDA and Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) are publishing an edited book whose primary aim is to chronicle for posterity, the tragic phase (1986-1992) in Mauritanian history, its causes and context, the efforts at seeking justice thereafter using international law, and the struggle for implementation of the decision of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

We are hereby inviting interested Mauritanians to contribute chapters in specific subject areas.

Download Call for Contributions