Freedom of Expression: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights


28/09/2016

UNESCO, GIZ and Article19 created an informative animation video on the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Freedom of Expression in Africa

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a continental court, promoting human rights throughout Africa. The African Court plays a particularly important role in improving freedom of expression. As the decisions are binding, they have a long-lasting effect on the rule of law and all other human rights in Africa.

The Court, into force since 2004, has given two major decisions related to freedom of expression. In 2014 it ruled that imprisonment for defamation violates the right to freedom of expression and in the same year it ordered the reopening of an investigation for the murder of the Burkinabe journalist Norbert Zongo for failures in the investigation.

The video also provides information on how to access the Court.