The African Regional Human Rights System: Comparing The African Human Rights Law System And The European And Inter-American Human Rights Systems Within A Normative And Institutional Framework

ABSTRACT: This study is titled ‘The African regional human rights system: Comparing the African human rights law system and the European and inter-American human rights systems within a comparative and institutional framework’. It centers on a critical evaluation of the entire African, European and inter-American human rights systems, within a normative and institutional framework. The study critically reviews the vast scholarly discourses and arguments on the global issue of the regional enforcement of human rights law in Africa. Part of the study focuses on the historical antecedents of human rights on the continent and in essence, seeks explanations to the origins, scope and evolution of human rights law in Africa. This is achieved mainly by the quest to also find answers to questions such as: Was the concept of human rights recognized in Africa before the colonial era? When did Africa’s regional system emerge, and what were the factors that led to its establishment? What is the current status of international human rights law in Africa? Thus, the study provides better understanding to the philosophical and historical origins of Africa’s regional human rights system. The study then proceeds to launch a comparative analysis of the three systems being discussed in the study, highlighting the normative and institutional similarities and differences between the systems. This is done in order to facilitate a better understanding of the operationalization process of the African system in general and also to enable the writer make credible suggestions for future reforms in the system. The study concludes with recommendations and suggestions on the possible ways to reform or restructure the African human rights system. One of the major findings of the study is that, the African regional human rights system could be more effective with the appropriate reforms in the necessary areas. Keywords: Human rights; enforcement, African human rights system; African charter; European human rights system. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………