Baze University, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), hosted a public lecture to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR), an organ of the African Union.
The event, held at the Faculty of Law, Baze University, brought together academics, legal practitioners, students, and human rights advocates to reflect on two decades of the Court’s contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights across Africa.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Lady Justice Stella Isibhakhomen Anukam, Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, spoke on the theme “Moving from Promises to Action: 20 Years of Protecting Human Rights”.
She examined the court’s mandate, landmark achievements, and its evolving role in strengthening accountability, safeguarding fundamental freedoms, and advancing the rule of law across the continent.
Justice Anukam emphasised the importance of translating legal commitments into tangible outcomes for citizens, noting that the court has played a vital role in interpreting and enforcing human rights standards among member states of the African Union.
The lecture also provided a platform for robust engagement, as participants discussed pressing human rights challenges, assessed the Court’s impact over the past two decades, and explored ways to improve access to justice and enhance institutional effectiveness within Africa’s human rights system.
The event was well attended by the leadership of the Faculty of Law, Baze University, including the dean, Sub-Dean, and Heads of Department, alongside students and invited guests, reflecting strong institutional support for human rights education and advocacy.
In their remarks, organisers underscored the need for sustained collaboration between academic institutions and human rights bodies to deepen awareness, strengthen legal frameworks, and ensure the court’s work continues to resonate with and benefit ordinary Africans.
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, established by the African Union, remains a key continental institution dedicated to the protection of human and peoples’ rights, complementing the mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
