African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is the oldest human rights complaint-handling body in Africa. Established by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Article 30), since 1988, the African Commission has been receiving and determining cases (called communications) on human rights violations in Africa. It has through the years developed a valuable and uniquely African body of human rights case law, which is available here in its most exhaustive collection.


The ACmHPR’s competence to hear and determine complaints against state parties is regulated by Arts 47-59 and its jurisdiction is compulsory and automatic for those states that ratify its founding treaty, the ACHPR. It is composed of eleven (11) members, “chosen from amongst African personalities of the highest reputation, known for their high morality, integrity, impartiality and competence in matters of human and peoples’ rights; particular consideration being given to persons having legal experience” (ACHPR Art. 31). They serve in their personal capacity. The ACmHPR is based in Banjul, The Gambia.


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