The African Union and human rights : drawing from the European experience of human rights supervision, what impact might the African Union, and the consequent creation of an African court, have on Africa with regard to human rights, African unity, and the issue of state sovereignty?
Abstract
The formation of the African Union (AU) holds great promise for Africa with
regard to development. It also brings a new dimension to human rights in Africa,
with the creation of the African Court. However, the OAUs legacy of human rights
supervision and the development of democracy lacks in many areas. Europe,
however, has manifested itself into an entity capable of trans-border cooperation
and has been able to sustain this over a long period of time.
What the OAU has accomplished in this regard is not compatible with the current
status of international law theory and practise. There is a need then for change in
these areas, and what better opportunity is there, than for a new dispensation in
regional governance to apply to relevant policies and programmes to effect this
change?
This dissertation will endeavour to present a study of how the European legacy in
Africa worked to the latter's detriment over the past five or six decades since
decolonisation. Yet, there are lessons that may be learnt from Europe's unification
that can be successfully implemented in Africa. Further, by analysing the
weaknesses of Africa's current system of human rights supervision, and rectifying
or reforming them, much may be accomplished in the advancement of the system.
Therefore reformation of the system will be discussed at length. However, the
success of the system will be evidenced by the commitment of its component
members.
Thus far the status quo in Africa reflects unwillingness on the part of the state to
surrender its sovereignty. This was one of the reasons for the impotence of the
OAU. Will the AU be able to overcome this condition? The onus remains on the
state to shore up their commitments to the treaties which they have ratified, and to
deliver on the promises they have made, because there are solutions, and whether
or not they are implemented ultimately depends on the AU.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
The importance of the African ethics of ubuntu and traditional African healing systems for Black South African women's health in the context of HIV and AIDS.
Manda, Domoka Lucinda. (2007)This study takes the concept of ubuntu, which means humanness and applies it to healthcare issues in general, and women's health, in particular. Ubuntu is based on the reality of interdependence and relatedness. It is a ... -
“African solutions to African problems.” challenges in implementing African mechanisms in transforming conflict: selected case studies (2007 to 2016)
Ndlovu, James. (2018)The study is premised on the understanding that African conflict challenges have been consistent and seem rather unending even after attempted peace, due to the application of external solutions. Hence, the research is ... -
African solutions to African problems : assessing the African Union's application of endogenous conflict resolution approaches.
Ani, Ndubuisi Christian.This dissertation advances the discourse on Africa’s substantive values and priorities in conflict resolution. This is done by exploring the principles of ‘African solutions to African problems’, particularly in conflict ...