Amnesty International
Press release, 09-08-2004

Amnesty International has written to the Chairman of the African Union
(AU), President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, expressing grave concern
about the future of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
(African Court).

During its Third Ordinary Session in July, in Addis Ababa, the African
Union's (AU) Assembly took a decision to integrate the African Court and
the Court of Justice of the AU into one Court.

"This decision is inconsistent with an earlier decision taken by the AU
Assembly in Maputo in July 2003, to the effect that the African Court
'shall remain separate and distinct from the Court of Justice of the
African Union'," the organization said.

"This decision, if implemented, will further delay, undermine or stop the
full establishment of an effective and functioning African Court," Amnesty
International's Secretary General, Irene Khan warned in an open letter to
President Obasanjo.

While the Court of Justice established under the AU Constitutive Act has
jurisdiction to resolve disputes between member states that have ratified
the Court's Protocol, the African Court is empowered to hear cases
challenging violations of civil and political rights as well as economic,
social and cultural guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and
Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.

Furthermore, unlike the judges of the African Court who are required to be
competent in human rights issues, the judges of the Court of Justice are
only required to "possess the necessary qualifications required in their
respective countries for appointment to the highest judicial offices".

Amnesty International believes that the African Court is an essential
mechanism that would increase the protection of human rights regionally
and nationally. Since the African Court is supposed to work together with
the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Court could also
contribute to the long-term effectiveness of the Commission.

"At a time when the human rights of individuals are under great pressure
in the region, it is essential for the AU to ensure and maintain the
integrity of the justice system it has established," Irene Khan said

The AU Chairman should "initiate consultations with member states ,
especially those that have ratified the African Court's Protocol and
nominated judges to the Court, on the possible impact of the AU Assembly's
decision on the protection of human rights on the continent. The full
participation of civil society organizations, including human rights
non-governmental organizations, in these consultations is essential for
ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the African Court," Amnesty
International said.

"We urge you to encourage AU member states to reaffirm their expressed
commitments to the African Court, and to support the principles embodied
in the Court's Protocol," Irene Khan told the AU Chairman. "AU member
states should not allow the AU Assembly's decision to prejudice, restrict
or weaken the essence of the African Court, which is to provide an
effective remedy in individual cases."