AU member states need more sensitisation on African Human & Peoples’ Rights Court – Osinbajo

Africa Union Member-States need more sensitisation on the role of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

The vice-president said this at a meeting with judges of the Court led by the President, Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, at the Arusha, Tanzanian office of the AU judicial agency.

Daily Trust had reported about the trip of Nigeria’s vice-president to the country.

“One of the critical issues is more sensitisation among Member-States of the African Union. I think that more Countries would be more willing (to identify as required with the Court). I think that governments  just require more assurance especially on the issue of complementarity,” he said.

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a continental court established by Member States of the African Union by virtue of Article 1 of the Protocol to the Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which came into operation in November 2006 seeking to enhance the protection of human and peoples’ rights on the continent.

Expressing his strong faith in the work of the Court, the Vice President averred “I believe very strongly in the International and Regional Court system, especially with respect to the protection of human rights”

While noting the challenges faced by the Court, Prof Osinbajo said, “there will always be tensions and challenges because States will always be mindful of their sovereignty.”

Osinbajo commended the achievements of the Court in spite of many challenges: “I really must commend you for the work you are doing, and landmark rulings of the court. Many have followed your work , especially when cases are about protection of the rights of women and freedom of information and I think there is consensus that the Court’s handling of these  cases has generally pointed in the right direction.”

He then observed that international and regional Courts of Justice and their rulings will also become increasingly important in the years to come as consensus grows around the fundamental importance of protection of individual and collective rights.