African Charter on Human and Peoples'Rights
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Adopted by the 18th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on 27 June 191. Entered into force on 21 October 1986.
Relevant Provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
Article 1
The Member States of the Organization of African Unity parties to the present Charter shall recognize the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in this Chapter and shall undertake to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to them.
Article 2
Prohibition of discrimination in the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms provided for in the Charter, without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or any status.
Article 3
Equality before the law and equal protection of the law.
Article 4
Inviolability of the human being, in his life and in the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.
Article 5
Right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status. Prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment.
Article 6
Every individual shall have the right to liberty and to security of his person. No one may be deprived of his freedom except for reasons and conditions previously laid down by law. No one may be arbitrarily arrested or detained.
Article 7
1. Everyone shall have the right to have his cause heard. This comprises: a) Right to an appeal to competent national organs against acts of violating his fundamental rights as recognized and guaranteed by conventions, laws, regulations and customs in force; b) Right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a competent court or tribunal; c) Right to defense, including the right to be defended by counsel of his choice; d) Right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or tribunal.
2. Legality principle.
Punishment is personal and can be imposed only on the offender.
Article 8
Freedom of conscience, guarantee of the profession and free practice of religion. No one may, subject to law and order, be submitted to measures restricting the exercise of these freedoms.
Article 9
Right to receive information. Right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law.
Article 10
Every individual shall have the right to free association provided that he abides by the law.
Article 11
Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others. The exercise of this right shall be subject only to necessary restrictions provided for by law, in particular those enacted in the interest of national security, the safety, health, ethics and rights and freedoms of others.
Article 13
2. Every citizen shall have the right of equal access to the public service of the country.
3. Every individual shall have the right of access to public property and services in strict equality of all persons before the law.
Article 14
Right to property, which may only be encroached upon in the interest of public need or in the general interest of the community and in accordance with the provisions of appropriate laws.
Article 19
All peoples shall be equal.
Article 26
State Parties have the duty to guarantee the independence of the Courts and shall allow the establishment and improvement of appropriate national institutions entrusted with the promotion and protection of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the present Charter.
Status of Signature, Ratification and Accession to the African Charter on Human and Peoples'Rights
| Country | Signature | Ratification/Accession | Date of Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 10 April 1986 | 01 March 1987 | 20 March 1987 |
| Angola | - | 02 March 1990 | 09 October 1990 |
| Benin | 11 February 2004 | 20 January 1986 | 25 February 1986 |
| Botswana | - | 17 July 1986 | 22 July 1986 |
| Burkina Faso | 05 March 1984 | 06 July 1984 | 21 September 1984 |
| Burundi | - | 28 July 1989 | 30 August 1989 |
| Cameroon | 23 July 1987 | 20 June 1989 | 18 September 1989 |
| Cape Verde | 31 March 1986 | 20 June 1987 | 06 August 1987 |
| Central African Republic | 04 February 2003 | 26 April 1986 | 27 July 1986 |
| Chad | 29 May 1986 | 9 October 1986 | 11 November 1986 |
| Ivory Coast | 30 August 2005 | 06 January 1992 | 31 March 1992 |
| Comoros | 01 June 1986 | 01 June 1986 | 18 July 1986 |
| Congo | 27 November 1981 | 09 December 1982 | 17 January 1983 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 23 July 1987 | 20 July 1987 | 28 July 1987 |
| Djibouti | 20 December 1991 | 11 November 1991 | 20 December 1991 |
| Egypt | 16 November 1981 | 20 March 1984 | 03 April 1984 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 18 August 1986 | 07 April 1986 | 18 August 1986 |
| Eritrea | - | 14 January 1999 | 15 March 1999 |
| Ethiopia | - | 15 June 1998 | 22 June 1998 |
| Gabon | 26 February 1982 | 20 February 1986 | 26 June 1986 |
| Gambia | 11 February 1983 | 08 June 1983 | 13 June 1983 |
| Ghana | 03 July 2004 | 24 January 1989 | 01 March 1989 |
| Guinea | 09 December 1981 | 16 February 1982 | 13 May 1982 |
| Guinea Bissau | 08 March 2005 | 04 December 1985 | 06 March 1986 |
| Kenya | - | 23 January 1992 | 10 February 1992 |
| Lesotho | 07 March 1984 | 10 February 1992 | 27 February 1992 |
| Liberia | 31 January 1983 | 04 August 1982 | 29 December 1982 |
| Libyan Ara Jamahiriya | 30 May 1985 | 19 July 1986 | 26 March 1987 |
| Magadascar | - | 09 March 1992 | 19 March 1992 |
| Malawi | 23 February 1990 | 17 November 1989 | 23 February 1990 |
| Mali | 13 November 1981 | 21 December 1981 | 22 January 1982 |
| Mauritania | 25 February 1982 | 14 June 1986 | 26 June 1986 |
| Mauritius | 27 February 1992 | 19 June 1992 | 01 July 1992 |
| Mozambique | - | 22 February 1989 | 07 March 1990 |
| Namibia | - | 30 July 1992 | 16 September 1992 |
| Niger | 09 July 1986 | 15 July 1986 | 21 July 1986 |
| Nigeria | 31 August 1982 | 22 June 1983 | 22 July 1983 |
| Rwanda | 11 November 1981 | 15 July 1983 | 22 July 1983 |
| Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | 10 April 1986 | 02 May 1986 | 23 May 1986 |
| Sao Tome & Principe | - | 23 May 1986 | 28 July 1986 |
| Senegal | 23 September 1981 | 13 August 1982 | 25 October 1982 |
| Seychelles | - | 13 April 1992 | 30 April 1992 |
| Sierra Leone | 27 August 1981 | 21 September 1983 | 27 January 1984 |
| Somalia | 26 February 1982 | 31 July 1985 | 20 March 1986 |
| South Africa | 09 July 1996 | 09 July 1996 | 09 July 1996 |
| South Sudan | - | - | - |
| Sudan | 03 September 1982 | 18 February 1986 | 11 March 1986 |
| Swaziland | 20 December 1991 | 15 September 1995 | 09 October 1995 |
| Tanzania | 31 May 1982 | 18 February 1984 | 09 March 1984 |
| Togo | 26 February 1982 | 05 November 1982 | 22 November 1982 |
| Tunisia | - | 16 March 1983 | 22 April 1983 |
| Uganda | 18 August 1986 | 10 May 1986 | 27 May 1986 |
| Zambia | 17 January 1983 | 10 January 1984 | 02 February 1984 |
| Zimbabwe | 20 February 1986 | 30 May 1986 | 12 June 1986 |
