Rights and Welfare of the Child.
5.
This General Comment also complements and is inspired by other
legal instruments of the Commission, including the Guidelines
and Measures for the Prohibition and Prevention of Torture, Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Africa (the
Robben Island Guidelines) (2002); the Principles and Guidelines
on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa (2003);
the Guidelines on the Conditions of Arrest, Police Custody and
Pre-trial Detention in Africa (2014); General Comment No. 3 on the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Right to Life
(Article 4) (2015; and the Principles and Guidelines on Human and
Peoples’ Rights While Countering Terrorism in Africa (2015).
6.
Finally, the General Comment builds on the United Nations (UN)
Committee against Torture’s General Comment No. 3 on the
Implementation of Article 14 of the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
(General Comment No. 3 of the UN Committee against Torture)
(2012), and the UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right
to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations
of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of
International Humanitarian Law (2005).
II:
Purpose of the General Comment
7.
This General Comment provides authoritative interpretation on
the scope and content of the right to redress for victims of torture
and other ill-treatment in specific contexts pertinent to the African
continent. It provides guidance on implementation and monitoring
of the right to redress for victims of torture and other ill-treatment
in law and practice by State Parties to the African Charter and
other stakeholders, including national human rights institutions
(NHRIs), national preventive mechanisms (NPMs) and civil society
organisations (CSOs).
8.
The right to redress encompasses the right to an effective remedy and
to adequate, effective and comprehensive reparation. The ultimate
goal of redress is transformation. Redress must occasion changes
3