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Niger and Guinea-Bissau Deposit Article 34(6) Declaration, a momentous occasion that should inspire other AU Member States

The African Court Coalition commends Niger and Guinea-Bissau for depositing the Declaration stipulated under Article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Court Protocol).

This development earmarks the interminable need for protection of fundamental human and peoples’ rights and a great achievement of the African Court whose constant effort to engage in constructive dialogue with AU Member States finally refreshes the rights protection arena at the continental level.

We would like to strongly encourage this spirit to the remaining AU Member States that are yet to ratify the African Court Protocol, or have ratified but have not deposited the Declaration, and those that have withdrawn from Article 34(6) Declaration to be inspired by the steps made by Niger and Guinea Bissau, and take the necessary measures to allow their citizens direct access to the African Court.