17. The Court further observes that pursuant to Rule 49(1) of the Rules, it “shall
conduct a preliminary examination of its jurisdiction […] in accordance with
the Charter, the Protocol and these Rules.”3
18. In view of the foregoing, the Court must conduct an assessment of its
jurisdiction and dispose of objections thereto, if any.
19. In the present Application, the Court notes that the Respondent State raises
an objection to its material jurisdiction. The Court will first consider the said
objection (A) before examining other aspects of its jurisdiction (B) if
necessary.
A. Objection to material jurisdiction
20. The Respondent State avers that this Court does not have appellate
jurisdiction to determine matters of facts and law such as that of the defence
of insanity of the Applicant in the present case. According to the Respondent
State, this issue was determined with finality by the Court of Appeal.
21. It is also the contention of the Respondent State that this Court does not
have jurisdiction to examine the present Application as it cannot quash the
conviction, set aside the sentence or order the Applicant’s release.
22. The Applicant rebuts the Respondent State’s objection and asserts that the
Court has jurisdiction to consider this Application so long as it alleges a
violation of rights guaranteed in the Charter and ICCPR.4
***
23. The issue arising in respect of jurisdiction in the present Application is
whether this Court has jurisdiction to examine the case and grant the
Applicant’s prayers.
3
4
Rule 39(1), Rules of Court, 2 June 2010.
Ratified by the Respondent State on 11 June 1976.
6