Arusha, 30 September 2022: In collaboration with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission have jointly organised a sensitisation seminar on the African Court on 4 October 2022 in Addis Ababa.

The seminar will be attended by over 60 participants including high-level government officials and key partners to discuss areas of common interest in the protection of human rights and to explore potential rooms for institutional partnerships. ‘’ The seminar will promote the work of the African Court and strengthen its partnership with governmental agencies and civil societies through dialogue with a view to joining efforts in the protection of human rights in Africa,’’ said the President of the African Court Hon Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud.

The seminar, she added, will also build the capacity of national human rights institutions and defenders in human rights litigation before the African Court. During the visit, the African Court delegation led by its President Hon Lady Justice Aboud, which includes three Judges and some Registry staff, is also expected to meet key Ethiopian government officials, including the President, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for the Justice, among others, to encourage Ethiopia to ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and deposit the Declaration under Article 34(6) to allow its citizens access the Court directly.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights was established by virtue of Article 1 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to complement the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, with a view to enhancing the protection of human rights on the continent.

2. The main objective of the sensitisation visits is to enhance the protection of human rights in Africa. Specific objectives include raising awareness about the Court; encouraging the ratification of the Protocol and deposit of the Declaration that allows citizens to directly access the Court; sensitising would-be applicants on how to access the Court and the procedures before the Court; encouraging the public to utilise the Court in settling human rights disputes and encouraging the utilisation of the Court for advisory opinions.

3. The Court is composed of 11 Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.

4. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold an Extra-Ordinary Sessions.

Further information on the Court can be obtained from the Court’s website at: www.african-court.org.

For more comments: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar Tel: +255 27 297 0430/31/32/33/34 Email: Robert.Eno@african-court.org For Media inquiries: AfricanCourtMedia@african-court.org