Abstract:
In 2010, judicial and non-juridical human rights developments continued
to grow within the framework of three of the most active regional economic
communities in Africa, albeit at different paces. During the year,
the East African Community and Economic Community of West African
States structures sought to consolidate their existing human rights work.
The East African Court of Justice tried to establish itself as a human rights
court, making pronouncements that will shape the direction of human
rights litigation before it. The EACJ continued to assert its role despite the
non-adoption of the protocol required to expressly confer human rights
jurisdiction upon it. In Southern Africa, while the Summit endeavoured to
shape the democratic culture in the region, the Southern African Development
Community Tribunal faced a serious challenge to its continued
existence and operation as a forum for human rights realisation. These
developments are analysed against the background of their overall significance
to human rights in Africa.
