The african charter on human and people's rights : a critical analysis

Abstract EN

Protection of human rights is a basic role of states since the universal declaration of human rights in 1948.

Africa followed footsteps of other continents when the OAU adopted and ratified the charter on human and people's rights in 1981 and 1986 respectively.

This study demonstrates that there is a general dissatisfaction of people with way the OAU handles violations of human rights.

The problem with the tool for protecting human rights in Africa is that its impact is hardly felt especially after the end of the cold war.

Many Africans believe that the whole system of protecting rights is defective.

Findings of the study reveal that the OAU is responsible for the ineffectiveness of the charter.

This study concludes that the OAU should restructure organs and institutions emanating from the charter to deal independently with cases of human rights abuses in Africa.