About the publication Human rights norms will largely remain hollow if they are not translated into the lived realities of people on the ground. Given the diversity and complexities of human rights norms, the arrays of institutions, mechanisms and resource required to give full effect to these norms, implementation of human rights norms is a continuous and progressive undertaking. Progress, to be meaningful, should have milestones and mechanisms for tracking it. The reporting mechanisms are human rights’ monitoring and evaluation plans and systems to track progressive implementation. This book provides an assessment of the reporting mechanisms of child rights treaty bodies. It highlights what is working or not working and why, making recommendations for further improvement of the reporting mechanism to better work for children in Africa. The findings and recommendations in the book are based on a study commissioned by the Centre for Human Rights, to assess the effects of reporting to United Nations and African Union child rights treaty bodies on the enjoyment of rights, protection and welfare of children in Africa. It covers 17 African countries, and provides a historical snapshot of the situation as at the end of 2017.

In 2020, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) celebrates 30 years since its adoption. To date, 50 African States have ratified the ACRWC, and 28 have submitted the initial report, 12 have submitted both initial and periodic reports to the African Committee of Experts on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) on the implementation of the ACRWC and have received recommendations from the ACERWC. To ascertain the extent of children’s rights protection in Africa, the Centre for Human Rights was commissioned to undertake a study on the implementation of the ACRWC in 10 countries, namely: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Sudan and Tanzania. In-country researchers were engaged to collect data using desk-based research to obtain information consisting of literature, documents and online sources that was then thematically analysed.

Following the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2020, and the creation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, there is increased interest in and a need to develop national human rights’ bodies for children’s rights. This book provides an in-depth look at one domestic independent children’s rights institution: the Irish Ombudsman for Children’s Office, to highlight the learnings for an international audience and the methodologies that can be used to promote and protect children’s rights at a national level. Co-authored by Ireland’s first Ombudsman for Children and a children’s rights professor, the book will present an original and informed analysis of how a national human rights institution can advocate, most effectively, for the rights of children. By using illustrative case studies, the book will highlight how the powers of a national human rights institution can be put to strategic use to address specific children’s rights deficits in areas of child protection, youth detention and public awareness about children’s rights. Each chapter focusses on a case study, identifies a problem, the approach or intervention by the Ombudsman for Children, the outcome and reflects on lessons learned. It ensures that the cases can be extracted, examined and replicated in other jurisdictions by an international community interested in the promotion, monitoring and protection of children’s rights. It speaks to those interested in Human Rights; Children’s Rights; Socio-legal studies, Social Work; Childhood Studies; Administrative Law, Constitutional Law and International Law, and to practitioners and policy-makers in this field.

This book provides a vital and original investigation into, and critique of, the situation facing the realisation of the child’s right to play. The right to play has been referred to as a forgotten right – forgotten by States implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in monitoring and providing guidance on the Convention, and by human rights academics. Through multidisciplinary, original archival, novel doctrinal and primary empirical research, the work provides a thorough investigation of the right to play. It offers an innovative insight into its value, the challenges facing the realisation of the right, its raison d’être and its scope, content and obligations. It also critiques the Committee’s engagement with the right to play and shares lived experiences of efforts to support its implementation in the United Kingdom and Tanzania. The book highlights elements of best practice, challenges, and weaknesses, and makes recommendations for the continued and improved realisation of the right to play. The book will be a valuable resource for researchers, academics, advocates and policy-makers working in the areas of Children’s Rights, International Human Rights Law, Public International Law, Child Welfare, and Education.

African Human Rights Yearbook / Annuaire africain des droits de l’homme 2 (2018) 2018 ISSN: 2523-1367 Pages: 521 Print version: Available Electronic version: Free PDF available About the publication The three institutions making up the African regional human rights system, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, decided to jointly publish the African Human Rights Yearbook, to spearhead studies on the promotion and protection of human rights, and to provide a forum for constructive engagement about the African human rights system with academics and other human rights commentators on the continent. Volume 2 of the Yearbook, published in 2018, contains 21 contributions by scholars from Africa and beyond. Les trois institutions qui composent le système régional africain des droits de l’homme, la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, la Commission africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples et le Comité africain d’experts sur les droits et le bien-être de l’enfant ont décidé de publier conjointement l’Annuaire africain des droits de l’homme pour encourager les études sur la promotion et la protection des droits de l’homme et offrir un forum d’interaction constructive sur le système avec les universitaires et observateurs du continent. Le Volume 2 de l’Annuaire, publié en 2018, contient 21 contributions de chercheurs du continent et d’ailleurs. Table of Contents ARTICLES FOCUSED ON ASPECTS OF THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM AND AFRICAN UNION HUMAN RIGHTS NORMS ARTICLES PORTANT SUR LES ASPECTS DU SYSTEME AFRICAIN DES DROITS DE L’HOMME ET LES NORMES DES DROITS DE L’HOMME DE L’UNION AFRICAINE Le système africain de protection des droits de l’homme et le droit international humanitaire Abelungu, Junior Mumbala & Cirimwami, Ezéchiel Amani Les grands silences jurisprudentiels de la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples Adjolohoun, Sègnonna Horace The normative power of the right to self-determination under the African Charter and the principle of territorial integrity: competing values of human dignity and system stability Anyangwe, Carlson Perspective d’une fusion entre la Commission et la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples: quel scenario possible pour une unification du contentieux régional africain des droits de l’homme? Badugue, Patrick The application of African Union (human rights) law in Uganda: trends and prospects from a comparative review Kabumba, Busingye Signs of triumph, trial and tribulation: reflections on the domestication and implementation of article 9 of the Women’s Rights Protocol in Namibia Kariseb, Kennedy L’exercice de la compétence contentieuse de la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples à l’épreuve de la souveraineté des États Kéké, Sakré La déclaration de l’article 34(6) du Protocole de Ouagadougou dans le système africain des droits de l’homme: entre régressions continentales et progressions régionales Kemkeng, Carole Valérie Nouazi Follow-up as a ‘choice-less choice’: towards improving the implementation of decisions on communications of the African Children’s Committee Mezmur, Benyam Dawit & Kahbila, Mbuton Ulrike The interpretation of the right to mental health in the Africa and American systems Wachira, Miriam & Cassell, Doug Assessing Rwexit: the impact and implications of Rwanda’s withdrawal of its article 34(6) declaration before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Windridge, Oliver Le mécanisme de garantie des droits de l’homme de la CEDEAO: entre emprunt et appropriation des instruments du système continental Yougbaré, Robert Human rights in the African Union decision-making processes: an inside view of states’ reaction to the Activity Reports of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Zewudie, Tilahun Adamu SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE AFRICAN UNIONS’ THEME FOR 2018: THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION FOCUS SPECIAL SUR LE THEME DE L’UNION AFRICAINE POUR L’ANNEE 2018: LA LUTTE CONTRE LA CORRUPTION Combating corruption-related illicit financial flows from Africa: legal approaches and challenges Duri, Jorum L’hydre de la corruption dans les relations euro-africaines Hassan, Adam Abdou Corruption and the right to vote in free and fair elections in Africa: is the will of the people on auction? Murimi, Edward Kahuthia & Kinyunyu, Selemani CASE COMMENTARIES COMMENTAIRES DE DECISIONS The (un)willingness to implement the recommendations of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights: revisiting the Endorois and the Mamboleo decisions Inman, Derek; Smis, Stefaan; Cirimwami, Ezéchiel Amani & Bahalaokwibuye, Christian Bahati Will Konaté set African journalists free? Interrogating the promises of an emerging press freedom jurisprudence in African regional courts Jansen Reventlow, Nani & Adjolohoun, Ségnonna Horace Genocide denial and freedom of political expression in the Ingabire case Khamala, Charles A Inclusive dialogue, freedom of speech in Rwanda and the milestone decision of the African Court in the matter of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza v Republic of Rwanda Namwase, Sylvie La première décision au fond de la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples: l’affaire Yogogombaye c. Sénégal (15 décembre 2009) Tchikaya, Blaise

About the publication The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Rights Charter) is the continental instrument for protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of the Child. The Children’s Charter, adopted in 1990, forms part of the salient features of the African human rights system, complementing the parent human rights instrument, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (African Charter). To give meaning and effect to its provisions, the African Children’s Rights Charter in article 34 establishes an organ namely the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Rights Committee or Committee) to monitor implementation by member states, to advocate for children’s rights and to hold state parties accountable to their obligations as state parties. Working collaboratively on the continent’s human rights system, the organs comprising the African human rights, namely, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission), the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Court) and the African Children’s Rights Committee, have undertaken to publish the African Human Rights Yearbook. This is an instrumental platform to highlight the mandate of the organs, to foster collaboration and to illustrate Africa’s commitment to uphold human rights. It is an important initiative that highlights various aspects of the norms and institutions relevant for human rights on the continent. This is the third volume of the Yearbook. It includes a focus on the 2019 theme of the African Union Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa. The African Children’s Committee has at the same time undertaken and published a study on Children on the Move (2019), focusing not only on refugees, detainees and internally displaced persons, but also drawing inspiration from the protective mandate of the African Children’s Rights Charter to draw the continent’s attention to the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of children who are on the move. The focus on themes of the African Union enables a critical analysis of the extent of their implementation and relevance to the human rights discourse in the continent. Furthermore, the special focus of the Yearbook on various groups of people in vulnerable situation, such as children and women, signals the need to enhance their protection and prioritise their plight. The role of academic writing in advancement of human rights deserves due notice and appreciation by human rights implementing bodies. Peer reviewed academic research provides credible and independent knowledge about human rights in a specific country or region, as well as in various contexts and thematic areas. Academia plays a major role in the development of a human rights resource base that enables sustainable enhancement of human rights protection and promotion. The African Human Rights Yearbook is an excellent example of the important role played by academia in strengthening human rights protection and promotion in Africa. The breadth of knowledge enveloped in the Yearbook is evidenced by the long list of highly established scholars that informed it. By questioning and analysing the institutional architecture and the work of the three human rights bodies, the Yearbook has an invaluable role of ameliorating their functioning as a collective system. For this reason, it is critical that the Committee, Commission and Court take note of the various recommendations stemming from the research and apply them when relevant, for better protection and promotion of human rights in Africa. Mrs. Goitseone Nanikie Nkwe Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. La Charte africaine des droits et du bien-être de l’enfant (Charte des droits de l’enfant) est l’instrument central en matière de protection et de promotion des droits et du bien-être de l’enfant en Afrique. Adoptée en 1990, elle fait partie intégrante des instruments clés du système africain des droits de l’homme et complète, à cet effet, la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, le traité fondateur du système africain des droits de l’homme. Pour mieux protéger les droits des enfants, le Comité africain d’experts sur les droits et le bien-être de l’enfant (Comité) fut créé à travers l’article 34 de la Charte des droits de l’enfant. Cet organe a pour mission de surveiller et de contrôler l’application et la mise en oeuvre de la Charte. Il veille que les Etats respectent et rendent compte de la mise en oeuvre des obligations qui leur incombent en vertu de la Charte. Travaillant en étroite collaboration dans le cadre de la protection des droits de l’homme en Afrique, la Commission africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples et le Comité africain d’experts sur les droits et le bien-être de l’enfant ont mis en place l’Annuaire africain des droits de l’homme. Cette initiative sert d’opportunité pour promouvoir les missions dévolues auxdits organes, raffermir les liens de collaboration entre eux et rappeler l’engagement pris par l’Afrique afin de protéger les droits humains. L’Annuaire est une initiative importante car elle met en exergue les différents aspects normatifs et institutionnels des droits de l’homme en Afrique. Ce troisième volume de l’Annuaire est dédié au thème que l’Union africaine a retenu pour l’année 2019; Année des réfugiés, des rapatriés et des personnes déplacées: Vers des solutions durables aux déplacements forcés en Afrique. En parallèle, le Comité a entrepris et publié une cartographie des enfants en mouvement en Afrique (2019) axée sur les réfugiés, les détenus et les déplacés internes. Tirant ses fondements du mandat de protection que confère la Charte des droits de l’enfant, la cartographie attire l’attention du continent sur la protection et la promotion des droits et du bien-être des enfants en mouvement. L’emphase sur les thèmes de l’Union africaine dans l’Annuaire permet d’examiner le degré de leur mise en oeuvre et leur importance au débat sur la question des droits de l’homme en Afrique. Par ailleurs, l’accent mis sur les catégories et groupes en situations de vulnérabilité dont les enfants et les femmes, sert à réitérer la nécessité de renforcer leur protection et de prioriser leur infortune. Les organes de protection des droits de l’homme devraient reconnaitre, à sa juste valeur, le rôle que jouent les travaux scientifiques dans la promotion des droits de l’homme. Les travaux de recherche scientifique relus et examinés par les pairs fournissent des connaissances crédibles et indépendantes sur les droits de l’homme dans un pays ou une région spécifique, ainsi que dans divers contextes et domaines thématiques. Les universités jouent un rôle prépondérant dans la mise en place des ressources adéquates en matière des droits de l’homme en vue de renforcer durablement leur protection et promotion. L’Annuaire africain des droits de l’homme est un parfait exemple de l’important rôle joué par les universités dans le renforcement de la protection et de la promotion des droits de l’homme en Afrique. La profondeur des connaissances que regorge l’Annuaire peut être illustrée de par la longue liste d’universitaires et des chercheurs qui le constituent. En interrogeant et en analysant l’architecture institutionnelle et le travail des trois organes de défense des droits de l’homme, l’Annuaire joue un rôle inestimable dans l’amélioration de leur fonctionnement en tant que système collectif. Pour cette raison, il est essentiel que le Comité, la Commission et la Cour prennent note des diverses recommandations découlant des recherches entreprises et les appliquent le cas échéant pour une meilleure protection et promotion des droits de l’homme en Afrique. Mme Goitseone Nanikie Nkwe Président du Comité africain d’experts sur les droits et le bien-être de l’enfant Table of Contents I. ARTICLES FOCUSED ON ASPECTS OF THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM AND AFRICAN UNION HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS ARTICLES PORTANT SUR LES ASPECTS DU SYSTÈME AFRICAIN DES DROITS DE L’HOMME ET LES NORMES DES DROITS DE L’HOMME DE L’UNION AFRICAINE Le système africain de protection des droits de l’homme et la question des enfants soldats Abelungu, Junior Mumbala L’émergence d’un juge électoral régional africain Adjolohoun,Sègnonna Horace & Youmbi, Eric M. Ngango O direito ao desenvolvimento como um direito fundamental: a sua proteção jurídica na União Africana e na ordem jurídica dos Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa Baldé, Aua Le temps du procès et la sécurité juridique des requérants dans la procédure devant la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples Dzesseu, SergesFrédéric Mboumegne Patterns of discrimination based on sexual orientation in Africa: is there a Lusophone exception? Garrido, Rui Children’s right to sustainable development under the African human rights framework Boshoff, Elsabé & Damtew, Samrawit Getaneh Journalism and human rights standards in Africa: reportage of violence against persons with albinism in Malawian newspapers Mlenga, Joe Droits de l’homme et justice climatique en Afrique Owona, Daniel Mental health and exploitation, violence and abuse: the domestication of articles 5 and 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Ghana and its implication for conventional and traditional mental healthcare Schuck, Natalie The privacy awakening: the urgent need to harmonise the right to privacy in Africa Singh, Avani & Power, Micheal The settlement option: friend or foe to human rights protection in Africa? Zarifis, Ismene Nicole II ARTICLES RELATED TO THE THEME OF THE YEAR 2019: ‘REFUGEES, RETURNEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS: TOWARDS DURABLE SOLUTIONS TO FORCED DISPLACEMENT IN AFRICA’ ARTICLES PORTANT SUR LE THÈME DE L’ANNÉE 2019: « ANNÉE DES RÉFUGIÉS, DES RAPATRIÉS ET DES PERSONNES DÉPLACÉES: VERS DES SOLUTIONS DURABLES AUX DÉPLACEMENTS FORCÉS EN AFRIQUE » The protection of climate refugees under the African human rights system: proposing a value-driven approach Addaney, Michael; Jegede, Ademola Oluborode and Matinda, Miriam The African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons in Africa: development, provisions and implementation challenges Adeola, Romola La prévention de l’apatridie dans le système africain des droits de l’homme Avlessi, Renaud Fiacre Legal protection of refugee children in Africa: positive aspects and shortcomings d’Orsi, Cristiano III CASE COMMENTARIES COMMENTAIRES DE DECISIONS Entre imperium illimité et decidendi timoré: la réparation devant la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples Adjolohoun, Sègnonna Horace & Oré, Sylvain Le droit à l’autodétermination en tant que droit fondamental de l’homme et des peuples à la lumière de l’avis de la Cour internationale de Justice sur l’archipel des Chagos Ben Achour, Rafaâ Commentaire de l’arrêt de la Cour africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples dans l’affaire Mariam Kouma et Ousmane Diabaté c. Mali Bizimana, Eric Interrogating the status of amnesty provisions in situations of transition under the Banjul Charter: review of the recent jurisprudence of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Dersso, Solomon Silences that speak volumes: the significance of the African Court decision in APDF and IHRDA v Mali for women’s human rights on the continent Kombo, Brenda K The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Chagos: a critical overview Mahadew, Roopanand State compliance with decisions of the African Court: the case of Alfred Agbesi Woyeme v Ghana Morhe, Renee Aku Stitsofe and Mensah, Richard Obeng A missed opportunity on the mandatory death penalty: a commentary on Dexter Eddie Johnson v Ghana at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Novak, Andrew Is the African Court’s decision in Dexter Eddie v Ghana a missed opportunity? A reply to Andrew Novak Nkhata, Mwiza Jo L’affaire Armand Guehi c.Tanzanie et la question du droit à l’assistance consulaire: l’intrusion d’une nouvelle préoccupation dans le corpus juridique des droits de l’homme en Afrique Oulepo, Nemlin Hie Arnaud

This collection is anchored in an African conception of children's rights and the law, and reflects contemporary discourses taking place in the region of the children's rights sphere. The majority of contributors are African and adopt an individual approach to their topic which reflects their first-hand experience. The book focuses on child rights issues which have particular resonance on the continent and the chapters span themes which are both broad and narrow, containing subject matter which is both theoretical and illuminated by practice. The book profiles recent developments and experiences in furthering children's legal rights in the African context, and distils from these future trends the specific role that the law can play in the African children's rights environment.

The United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) constitutes a landmark in the development of international human rights law and reflects an historic turn in universal thinking about children and their rights. Many children in Africa today face the future with a deep sense of uncertainty and foreboding. Many have no hope of education and the issues of child trafficking, sexual exploitation and child labour reflect a profound crisis of the family. The current socio-economic situation has radically changed the world views and the life expectations of the African child. This book attempts to respond to some of the questions that could be asked: to what extent have the provisions of the CRC been implemented in the national legislations of African States? What effect have they had on children in Africa? What mechanisms exist to prevent and sanction rights abusers? Are children's rights in Africa reality, or simply rhetoric?

About the publication A Guide to the African human rights system has been conceived as an accessible and informative introduction to the human rights system established under the auspices of the African Union (AU). This Guide provides an overview of developments related to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, its supervisory body, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and its supervisory body, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. It is launched on 2 November 2017, commemorating the date, 30 years earlier, on which the African Commission was inaugurated. The Guide aims to both chart the most salient historical developments and provide an accessible introduction to the African human rights system, and is continuously revised. The Centre for Human Rights is both an academic department and a non-governmental organisation (NGO) accorded observer status with the African Commission. The Centre teaches academic programmes and engages in research, advocacy and training on human rights, with a specific focus on Africa. Its flagship programmes are the Master’s in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa and the African Human Rights Moot Court Competition. For more information on the Centre for Human Rights, visit www.chr.up.ac.za