This book provides a comprehensive and analytical overview of human rights law in Africa. It examines the institutions, norms, and processes for human rights realization provided for under the United Nations system, the African Union, and sub-regional economic communitites in Africa, and explores their relationship with the national legal systems of African states. Since the establishment of the African Union in 2001, there has been a proliferation of regional institutions that are relevant to human rights in Africa. These include the Pan African Parliament, the Peace and Security Council, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council and the African Peer Review Mechanism of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. This book discusses the links between these institutions. It further examines the case law stemming from Africa' most important human rights instrument, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which entered into force on 21 October 1986. This new edition contains a new chapter on the African Children's Rights Committee as well as full coverage of new developments and instruments, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Three cross-cutting themes are explored throughout the book: national implementation and enforcement of international human rights law; legal and other forms of integration; and the role of human rights in the eradication of poverty. The book also provides an introduction to the relevant human rights concepts.

About the Author
Frans Viljoen is Professor of International Human Rights Law and Director of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Reviews
The study provides a comprehensive and analytic overview of human rights law in Africa by examination of the institutions , norms and processes regarding human rights realisation that is provided in Africa under the UN system, the African Union and sub-regional economic communities in the continent. ... Mr Viljoen's study constitutes a valuable source of critical analysis of African states' obligations under international human rights law, as they are witnessed at present. * A. Skouteri, Revue Hellenique De Droit International *
This volume is an encyclopaedia on human rights in Africa, from which jurists, scholars and legal practitioners can find what they need. As the leading work in African human rights, this volume not only comprehensively addresses almost every aspect of its subject, but also tackles such key themes as the Commission, the Court and international human rights lawas an interpretive source in local courts in certain African countries. * YANG Chengming, Beijing Institute of Technology Institute of International Law *
Review from previous edition This book embodies the knowledge acquired by an eminent and well-respected African scholar and activist who has worked within the African human rights system for many... it does provide the uninitiated with a very comprehensive overview of human rights in Africa. The bibliography alone is a useful and comprehensive reference point. This volume therefore is highly recommended reading for anyone who wants to get a taste of the ways in which the various institutions, both African and otherwise, have considered human rights on the continent. * Human Rights Law Review (9) *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199645589
Author Frans Viljoen
Format Hardback
Page Count 662
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1302g
Dimensions(mm) 250mm * 178mm * 42mm