Legal experts discuss significance of regional and international human rights jurisprudence

African legal experts, including lawyers and judges, have used the platform of the ongoing sixth African Union Judicial Dialogue to desert the role and significance of regional and international human rights.

The various legal experts during a panel discussion identified and analyzed the challenges encountered by domestic courts in integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence.

The team of experts also examines specific obstacles such as the lack of awareness among judges and legal practitioners, difficulties in harmonizing domestic laws with international obligations, and ensuring consistent application of human rights principles.

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.

The panelists included Professor Nsongurua Udombana, Human Rights Institute, National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, who delivered a paper on “Challenges faced by domestic courts in integrating human rights jurisprudence,” and the section was moderated by Honourable Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.

Other panelists were the Chief Justice of the Gambia, Justice Hassan B. Jallow; a Judge of the Supreme Court of Mozambique, Justice Henrique Carlos Xavier Cossa, and a representative of the Judiciary of Algeria; and Prof. Ubena John Agatho from the High Court of Tanzania.

The team of experts also shared their experiences and lessons learned from domestic courts that have successfully integrated human rights jurisprudence.

The Sixth African Union Judicial Dialogue is being attended by 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.

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.

-CDA Consult || Contributor