International Human Rights Law in Africa (2^nd Ed.)

This book provides a comprehensive and analytical overview of human rights law in Africa. It examines the institutions, norms, and processes for human rights realization provided for under the United Nations system, the African Union, and sub-regional economic communitites in Africa, and explores their relationship with the national legal systems of African states. Since the establishment of the African Union in 2001, there has been a proliferation of regional institutions that are relevant to human rights in Africa. These include the Pan African Parliament, the Peace and Security Council, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council and the African Peer Review Mechanism of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. This book discusses the links between these institutions. It further examines the case law stemming from Africa' most important human rights instrument, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which entered into force on 21 October 1986. This new edition contains a new chapter on the African Children's Rights Committee as well as full coverage of new developments and instruments, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Three cross-cutting themes are explored throughout the book: national implementation and enforcement of international human rights law; legal and other forms of integration; and the role of human rights in the eradication of poverty. The book also provides an introduction to the relevant human rights concepts.

Part I - Background. 1. An Introduction to International Human Rights Law. Part II - The Global Level. 2. The Role of United Nations Organs and Agencies in Realizing Human Rights in Africa. 3. The United Nations Treaty-Based Human Rights System and Africa. Part III - The Regional Level. 4. The African Regional Architecture and Human Rights. 5. Substantive Human Rights Norms in the African Regional System. 6. The African Commission: An Introduction and Assessment. 7. The African Commission: Protective Mandate. 8. The African Commission: Promotional Mandate. 9. The African Children's Rights Committee. 10. The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. Part IV - The Subregional Level. 11. The Realization of Human Rights in Africa through Subregional Institutions. Part V - The National Level. 12. Domestication of Human Rights Law. Part VI - Conclusion. 13. Conclusion.

Frans Viljoen is Professor of International Human Rights Law and Director of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.