Webinar Invitation: Reimagining Africa’s Judiciaries and the Legal Profession in the Context of Democratic Recession
Background/Concept Note:
The African Court Coalition and Pan African Lawyers Union cordially invite you to participate in a webinar themed “Reimagining Africa’s Judiciaries and the Legal Profession in the Context of Democratic Recession”
Date: Friday 26 February 2021
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM Arusha Time
Platform: ZOOM
Language: English & French with simultaneous interpretation
Panelists:
- Judge Bernard Ngoepe, Former Judge of the AfCHPR
- Mrs. Soyata Maiga, Former Chairperson of the ACHPR
- Ms. Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, Director, ICJ-SA
- Mrs. Osai Ojigho, Director, Amnesty International, Nigeria
- Hon. Ms. Yvonne Dausab, Minister of Justice, Republic of Namibia
- Mr. Souleymane Teliko, UMS, Senegal
- Mr. Nouhou Aboubacar, Secretary General of the SAMAN, Niger
- Mr. Nouhou Diallo, Deputy Registrar, AfCHPR
- Judge Willy Mutunga, Former Chief Justice, Kenya
- Dr. Japhet Biegon, Amnesty International-International Secretariat
- Ms. Mooya Nyaundi, American Bar Association, Centre for Human Rights
Moderators:
- Ms. Fathia Hedhili Messous, VP-PALU
- Ms. Roselyn Hanzi, ZLHR
- Chidi Anselm Odinkalu
Background:
The judiciary and the legal profession in general is considered an important pillar that provides checks and balance in the administration of justice to ensure protection of equal rights for all.
Article 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights states that; “Parties to the Charter shall have the duty to guarantee the independence of the Courts and shall allow the establishment and improvement of appropriate national institutions entrusted with the promotion and protection of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the present Charter”.
In our recent time however, we have witnessed some attempts that undermine judicial independence and the legal profession in Africa contrary to the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. It can safely be stated that in the absence of independent judiciaries capable of ensuring protection of equal rights and the rule of law, it can lead to disruption of order from national to regional and continental level.
It is against this background that the African Court Coalition and Pan African Lawyers Union undertake to facilitate a webinar themed “Reimagining Africa’s Judiciaries and the Legal Profession in the Context of Democratic Recession”
Objective:
The main objective of the webinar is to engage in a robust discussion on the issues that threaten and undermine the independence of judiciaries and the legal profession in Africa and develop strategies to enhance such independence in the context of democratic recession.
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