Justice Torkornoo attends sixth African Union Judicial Dialogue

The Chief Justice of Ghana, Ladyship, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has joined legal luminaries across Africa who have congregated at Algiers, Algeria, to participate in the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Sixth African Union Judicial Dialogue.

Chief Justice Torkornoo, accompanied by high personalities in the Ghanaian judicial system, is expected to deliver a paper on the theme.

The Sixth Judicial Dialogue is on the theme “Advancing Justice and Human Rights in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating Regional and International Human Rights Jurisprudence in Domestic Courts.”

The Judicial Dialogue fixed for November 20th to 22nd seeks to provide a platform for judges of national and regional courts and other stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities related to integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence into domestic courts in Africa.

Participants include representatives from national Supreme and Constitutional Courts from across the continent, presidents and judges of regional and sub-regional courts, representatives of the African Union, lawyers and researchers, and representatives of human rights institutions.

Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, President of the African Court, explained in her opening remarks that the Sixth Judicial Dialogue serves as a platform to promote awareness and understanding among participants regarding the relevance, importance, and potential benefits of integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence in domestic courts.

She said it provides an opportunity for participants to enhance their capacity and skills in applying regional and international human rights standards in domestic court proceedings, including issues of jurisdiction, interpretation, and implementation.

Lady Justice Aboud noted that the dialogue platform would also identify and address challenges faced by domestic courts in integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence and explore potential solutions and best practices to overcome these challenges.

“To foster collaboration and cooperation among regional and domestic courts, legal practitioners, and stakeholders in promoting human rights and justice in Africa, including sharing experiences, expertise, and resources,” the African Court President noted.

She said the dialogue would revolve around the role and significance of regional and international human rights jurisprudence in promoting justice and human rights in Africa and the challenges faced by domestic courts in integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence.

Lady Justice Aboud said it would provide the grounds for capacity building and professional development for judges and legal practitioners to enable them to apply international human rights jurisprudence.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).

In commemoration of this milestone, Lady Justice Aboud noted that the dialogue will also dedicate a half-day to discuss the contributions and achievements of the Protocol to the protection of the rights of women in Africa.

“This will, inter alia, examine the jurisprudence developed by AU human rights bodies on the protection of the rights of women, reflecting on how this can be integrated in domestic legal systems,” she stated.

Lady Justice Aboud stressed that concurrently, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-East African Regional Office, an additional half-day symposium will be organized as an integral part of the dialogue.

The dialogue was officially opened by Mr. Nadir Larbaouni, Prime Minister of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, who represented President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, while Mr. Abderrachid Tabi, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of the People’s Republic of Algeria, performed the official welcome.

The African Court is collaborating with the African Union, the European Union, GIZ, the United Nations, and the Government of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria for the dialogue.