1520 UNTS 363
Concluded: 27 June 1981
In force: 21 October 1986
PART I RIGHTS AND DUTIES 220
CHAPTER I HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS 220
CHAPTER II DUTIES 224
PART II MEASURES OF SAFEGUARD 225
CHAPTER I ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS 225
CHAPTER II MANDATE OF THE COMMISSION 226
CHAPTER III PROCEDURE OF THE COMMISSION 226
Communication from States 226
Other Communications 227
CHAPTER IV APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES 228
PART III GENERAL PROVISIONS 229
The African States members of the Organization of African Unity, parties to the present convention entitled “African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights”,
Recalling Decision 115 (XVI) of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its Sixteenth Ordinary Session held in Monrovia, Liberia, from 17 to 20 July 1979 on the preparation of a “preliminary draft on an African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights providing inter alia for the establishment of bodies to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights”;
Considering the Charter of the Organization of African Unity, which stipulates that “freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations of the African peoples”;
Reaffirming the pledge they solemnly made in Article 2 of the said Charter to eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa, to coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa and to promote international cooperation having due regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
Taking into consideration the virtues of their historical tradition and the values of African civilization which should inspire and characterize their reflection on the concept of human and peoples’ rights;
Recognizing on the one hand, that fundamental human rights stem from the attributes of human beings which justifies their national and international protection and on the other hand that the reality and respect of peoples rights should necessarily guarantee human rights;
Considering that the enjoyment of rights and freedoms also implies the performance of duties on the part of everyone;