African Human Rights Law

The module analyses core aspects of African human rights law. It examines the application in the African context of international human rights instruments, with special emphasis on the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and Protocol. It considers the expanding jurisprudence of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and assesses the extent to which the Charter has influenced domestic legal systems in Africa. Several specific human rights themes are examined, including the death penalty, fair trial rights , the right to healthcare, equality issues, prisoner's rights, freedom of expression and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. So far as domestic legal systems are analysed, the emphasis will be on the position in Commonwealth states.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Identify the relationship between global and regional human rights and the incorporation of human rights norms at national level in Africa
• Analyse key issues, including the death penalty, fair trial rights, gender equality and customary law
• Discuss African human rights law in comparative perspective
• Appraise and evaluate the role of tribunals and courts in Africa in protecting social and economic rights, freedom of expression and the right to liberty.

Assessment: 

• Take-home Exam – 100%

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