adoption of a concrete dissuasive criminal legislation, and application mechanisms, which are conceived to prevent, quell and sanction the violations of the right to life. She further averred that, to expatiate the import of such an obligation, it is not sufficient for a State to adopt a criminal legislation for it to be considered to have carried out its obligation of protection; the State should also put in place the necessary means to ensure that whenever there is an infringement upon the right to life, it shall effectively be sanctioned. In regard to the right to fait hearing, Plaintiff/Applicant cites the following provisions: - Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides that: « Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. » ; - Article 14 §1 of the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, which provides that: « All persons shall have the right to have their cause heard fairly and in public by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law, which shall decide the well – foundedness of any criminal charge against him, whether his claims on his civil rights and obligations (…) » ; - Article 7 §1of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provides that: « Every individual shall have the right to have his cause heard. This comprises: a) the right to appeal to competent national organs against acts violating his fundamental rights as recognised by and guaranteed by conventions, laws, 4