From a cat into a lion? An overview of the progress and challenges of the African human rights system at the African Commission's 25 year mark

Abstract

The roots of the African human rights system lie in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Charter). Adopted in 1981, the Charter entered into force in 1986. Its treaty monitoring body, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (Commission), was set up in 1987. In 2012, the Commission celebrated 25 years of existence. It initially functioned under the political auspices of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), but since 2002, within the ambit of the OAU's successor, the African Union (AU). This overview focuses on the African Charter and the Commission, and covers aspects of 25 years of the Commission's evolution.