ECOWAS Court President Wants African Human Rights Institutions Strengthened

The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Edward Asante has urged participants at the 77th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ rights (ACHPR) in Arusha to contribute towards bolstering the independence and capacity of human rights organisations in the continent.

This he said would enable them contribute more towards enhancing its human rights records.

Justice Asante who made the call in his speech at the session taking place in Arusha Tanzania extolled the progress made with advancing human rights in Africa through various legislations at the continental level which has helped to strengthen jurisdictions and milestones.

He also acknowledged the role of the African Charter as the cornerstone of the African Human Rights framework, noting that it has “contributed to the development of human rights in Africa by setting a regional standard for the protection of rights and freedoms.”

The President of the Community Court also noted the importance of similar instruments as underpinnings in the development of the human rights regime in the continent such as the Maputo Protocol (2003); the Kampala Convention (2009); and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990).

Justice Asante stressed the essential role of various regional and sub regional courts in safeguarding human rights, including the ECOWAS Court, which is vested with the powers, among others, to interpret, apply and enforce human rights in the 15 member Community of West Africa.

He however expressed concern at the inconsistent adherence to the rulings of African human rights courts, saying while African countries were quick to commit themselves to international instruments; these are not reflected in their enforcement of the decisions of their court in order to evade scrutiny of the human rights records.

Justice Asante added that such behaviour was not only inimical to the promotion of human rights in the continent but that non-compliance with the decision of their courts erodes public trust on the human rights bodies of Africa.

He also said that “recent democratic reversals in Africa manifested in the recent coups as well as economic mismanagement also impede the progression of human rights initiatives.”

Justice Asante therefore urged the authorities of Member States to champion good governance, enforce accountability, and bolster support for economic growth and poverty alleviation.

Mercy Chukwudiebere