the latter, should it wish to intervene in the proceedings, to do so within thirty (30) days of receipt. 17.The Respondentfiled its response on 31 July 2015. 18. During its 36 th Ordinary Session held from 9 to 27 March 2015, the Court instructed the Registry to request the Pan-African Lawyers' Union (PALU) to provide legal assistance to the Applicants. Bya letter dated 16 April 2015, the Registry requested PALU to offer legal representation to the Applicants. 19. By a letter dated 30 June 2015, PALU notified the Registrar and the Respondent that PALU would represent the Applicants and by a letter dated 4 August 2015, the Registrar transmitted a copy of the case file to PALU. 20. By letter dated 25 February 2016, PALU filed the Reply to the Response out of time and requested the Court to deem it as properly filed, stating that the delay was caused by various unforeseen and inevitable circumstances. 21.During its 41 st Ordinary Session, held from 16 May to 3 June 2016, the Court granted leave to PALU as requested. 22. On 29 July 2016, the Registry transmitted a copy of the Reply to the Respondent for information and advised the Parties that pleadings were closed. v. PRAYERS OF THE PARTIES 23.ln their respective submissions, the Parties made the following prayers. On behalf of the Applicants, The Applicants seek the following orders from the Court: " 1. A declaration that the Respondent State has violated the Applicants' rights guaranteed under the Charter, in particular, articles 1 and 7 7