WUNRN
Direct Link to Full 26-Page 2015 Report: http://pwescr.org/PWESCR%20Training%20Manual_for%20web_10-4-2015.pdf
The
African Regional Human Rights System
The publication narrates the origins
of the African regional human rights mechanisms. It elaborates the normative
framework and rights recognised in the regional human rights treaties in the
region. It also focuses on how to use these monitoring and enforcement
mechanisms and some of the challenges faced in doing so. This is a learning
tool for human rights defenders, and especially trainers from the region
interested in conducting training on human rights. With a focus also on civil
society engagement in the regional human rights mechanisms, the publication
provides useful insights at a practical level. The publication will enhance
your knowledge on African regional human rights mechanisms. Written by:
Getahun Atey Kassa
As part of developments in the international human
rights movement, Africa has its own regional system for promotion and
protection of human rights. Following the end of the Second World War, the
international community has been working 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 has developed human rights norms that apply across regimes and
transcend geographical confines. Although the international human rights system
is binding at the regional and national level, it is still difficult to adequately
guarantee protection of human rights only through an international system.
Credible and effective regional as well as national
system is needed for the promises of human rights to become a reality. That is
among the reasons why Africa has developed regional system for promotion and
protection of human rights. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
(ACHPR) was adopted to lay the normative frame for African Human Rights System.
The Charter (unlike the UN system which developed two separate treaties for
civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights) has made
an explicit declaration that civil and political rights cannot be dissociated
from economic, social and cultural rights.
The African regional human rights system attempts to
reconcile the universal human rights standards and African values. It reflects
a blend of international human rights standards and recognition to African
cultural values.