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The Coalition Participates in the Opening of the 2024 Judicial Year of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

On Monday 12 February 2024, the African Court Coalition participated in the opening of the 2024 Judicial Year of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which for this year is held under the theme “Enhancing the Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights with an emphasis on the Right to Education”.

Delivering the Goodwill message on behalf of the Coalition, the Coordinator of the Coalition Ms. Sophia Ebby congratulated the African Court for the initiative and called upon Civil Society to assess their role in enhancing the Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the benefit of the peoples of Africa and the African continent in general.

The Goodwill message highlighted important questions on different aspects linked with the justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. These aspects include the role of CSOs and human rights activists and their engagement with the African Human Rights mechanisms; the role of African States and Governments in ensuring priority on the right to education that is fit for the 21^st century and their commitments and obligations under the African Charter and other legal instruments of the African Union that recognizes Economic, Social and Cultural rights; access to the African Court for CSOs and individuals; and States’ compliance with decisions of the African Human Rights judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, in particular those which emanates from violations of Social, Economic and Cultural rights.

To access the full Goodwill Message, click on this LINK.

The ceremony which was held at the seat of the Court in Arusha, Tanzania was graced by different stakeholders including the Chairperson of the Banjul Commission, Hon. Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, and the Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya Hon. Justin Muturi, on behalf of His Excellency Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya. Other stakeholders included representatives of the African Union Member States, Regional and Sub-Regional Courts, African Union organs with a human rights mandate, African Union Ambassadors accredited to Tanzania, members of the judicial corps of Tanzania, representatives of Bar Associations, Civil Society Organisations, members of the academia, members of the media and other stakeholders who are involved in the work of the Court and the protection of human rights in the continent.

The ceremony also marked the commencement of the 72^nd Ordinary Session of the African Court which will run up to 8 March 2024 at its seat in Arusha, Tanzania.