94.In support of its arguments, the Respondent State has referred the Court to the decisions of the ECHR in Handyside v United Kingdom and James v United Kingdom. eK 95. Article 7(1)(a) of the Charter provides as follows: (1) Every individual shall have the right to have his cause heard. This comprises: (a) The right to an appeal to competent national organs against acts of violating his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations and customs in force; 96. The Court observes that the right to have one’s cause heard, as enshrined under Article 7(1)(a) of the Charter, bestows upon individuals a wide range of entitlements pertaining to due process of law, including the right to be given an opportunity to express their views on matters and procedures affecting their rights, the right to file a petition before appropriate judicial and quasi-judicial authorities for violations of these rights and the right to appeal to higher judicial authorities when their grievances are not properly addressed by the lower courts. 78 The Court also notes that the right to have one’s cause heard does not cease to exist after the completion of appellate proceedings. In circumstances where there are cogent reasons to believe that the findings of the trial or appellate courts are no longer valid, the right to be heard requires that a mechanism to review such findings should be put in place. 97. The Court recalls that the right to a fair hearing encompasses several elements, including the principle of equality of arms for parties to a case in all proceedings; the opportunity evidence; and to properly to respond prepare to the a defence; arguments present and one’s evidence arguments presented by the 28 Werema Wangoko Werema v. United Republic of Tanzania (merits) (2018) 2 AfCLR 520 §§ 68-69. 26 and