African Court on Human Rights Marks 20 Years of Service

The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (AfCHPR) celebrated its 20th anniversary on October 6, 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marking two decades of operation since its establishment in 2006. The event, themed "20 Years Protecting Human Peoples' Rights," was organized in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC).

The court, headquartered in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, was created to ensure the protection of human rights across Africa and complements the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights based in Banjul, Gambia. The court comprises eleven judges elected by member states of the African Union and meets four times a year.

Since its inception, the AfCHPR has issued 463 decisions, including 278 judgments and 185 orders. Key achievements over the past two decades include landmark judgments and advisory opinions that have clarified and strengthened African human rights standards, particularly in protecting women and girls and addressing discrimination.