19. In response to the Respondent State’s objection, the Applicant argues that
the Court has jurisdiction in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Protocol and
Rule 26(2) of the Rules. He asserts that the Respondent State’s objection
to the Court’s jurisdiction is a “misjudgement or a misinterpretation” of both
the Court’s authority and the principles enshrined in the Charter. According
to him, his Application relates to the violation of his right to a fair trial,
resulting in an unfair conviction and sentence of 30 years imprisonment.
20. The Applicant further submits that this Court would not be sitting as an
appellate Court if it adjudicated on his Application. With regard to the
objection that some of his allegations are being raised for the first time
before this Court, the Applicant contends that the said objection relates to
the admissibility requirement of exhaustion of local remedies and it is
illogical for the Respondent State to raise it in respect to the jurisdiction of
the Court.
***
21. In relation to the first objection, that the Court is being called to sit as a Court
of first instance and to adjudicate on matters, which were never raised
before the national courts, the Court recalls that its jurisdiction is established
under Article 3 of the Protocol pursuant to which it has competence to
consider any application filed before it provided that the Applicant alleges
the violation of rights guaranteed in the Charter, the Protocol or any other
human rights instruments ratified by the Respondent State.7 Given that in
the present Application, the Applicant alleges violation of Articles 1, 2, 3(1),
7(1)(b) and 27(1) of the Charter, the Court has jurisdiction to hear the
Application.
22. Consequently, the objection that the Court would be sitting as a court of first
instance is dismissed.
7
Daud Sumano Kilagela v. United Republic of Tanzania, ACtHPR, Application No. 017/2018, Judgment
on 3 September 2024 (merits and reparations), § 7.
7