Beyond paper-based affiliate status : national human rights institutions and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Abstract

An extensive literature has evolved around the relationship between the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and non-governmental organisations with observer status. Not much has been written about the nature of the relationship between the African Commission and national human rights institutions. This article seeks to scrutinise this relationship. In particular, it examines the role of national human rights institutions in the activities of the African Commission and, concomitantly, how their role could be strengthened in order to enhance human rights protection in Africa. The paper further examines the rationale behind their greater participation in the workings of the African Commission and ascertains whether there is a need for a more elaborate and meaningful relationship.