Nixon Nyikadzino v Zimbabwe
26. The Complainant further submits that in Jawara v The Gambia 6 the African
Commission found that:
Three major criteria can be deduced from the practice of the Commission in
determining (the local remedies) rule, namely: the remedy must be available,
effective, and sufficient.. .. A remedy is considered available if the petitioner can
pursue it without impediment, it is deemed effective if it offers a prospect of
success, and it is found to be sufficient if it is capable of redressing the complaint.
27. The Complainant submits that the African Commission further held that "a remedy is
considered available only if the applicant can make use of it in the circumstances of the
case" and stated that "the existence of a remedy must be sufficiently certain, not only in
theory but also in practice, failing which, it will lack the requisite accessibility and
effectiveness." 7 The Complainant argues that the existence of a remedy in the present
case is neither certain in theory nor in practice and the Victim is patently unable to make
use of local remedies in the circumstances of his case.
28. The Complainant contends that local remedies are considered unavailable when, inter
alia, the Complainant cannot return to his country to pursue the remedies because of fear
for his life. The Complainant cites the case of Rights International v Nigeria 8 wherein:
Relying on its precedents... the Commission interpreted the standard for
constructive exhaustion of domestic remedies to be satisfied where there is no
adequate or effective remedy available to the individual. In this particular case,
the Commission found that Mr. Wiwa was unable to pursue any domestic
remedy following his flight for fear of his life to the Republic of Benin and the
subsequent granting of refugee status to 'him by the United States of America'.
29. Continuing in this vein, the Complainant submits, in Ouko v Kenya 9, the Commission
stated:
Communication 147/95 and 149/96 - Sir Dawda K. fawara v The Gambia (The fawara Case) (2000) ACHPR
para. 31 & 32.
Id, para 33 & 35.
Communication 215/98 - Rights International v Nigeria (2000) ACHPR para. 24.
9
Communication 232/99 - John D. Ouko v Kenya (2000) ACHPR para. 19.
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11 th Extraordinary Session of the ACHPR