The African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, AfCHPR, with headquarters in Tanzania has expressed efforts to operationalise its legal aid funding for indigent applicants of human rights violations.
A justice of the court, Lady Justice Stella Anukam disclosed this on Thursday while delivering a public lecture to commemorate 20 years anniversary of protection of human rights at the Baze University Law Faculty in Abuja.
She pointed out that to provide the legal aide, the court was working to strengthen the legal support fund through increase contributions from the African Union (AU) and partners to finance legal aid for indigent victims, expand partnerships with NGOs to provide free legal services and improve access to justice; and to operationalize the legal aid fund through the empowerment of external actors like civil society, academia, and legal professionals.
“The cost of bringing a case before the Court remains a major obstacle for many victims. It is, therefore, essential to operationalize and strengthen the Legal Aid Fund in order to democratize access to justice,” she said.
She clarified that the court has a dual mandate: such as judicial function on human rights violation adjudication and an advisory function to issue opinions on the interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
While bemoaning the inability of government across Africa, including Nigeria to sign the declaration of the court in line with Article 34(6), she noted that governments have a responsibility to support the court and ensure compliance with its decisions as their political commitment is essential to strengthening democratic legitimacy and the rule of law.
