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Mail & Guardian

African Charter

latest news & developments
Organisations such as CitizenGo, Family Watch International, Family Policy Institute and Christian Council International promote opposition to abortion, LGBTI rights, reproductive healthcare and comprehensive sexuality education.
2025 CONVENTION ON ELIMINATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

African values under threat: African Commission must defend them

US anti-rights groups are working against inclusivity, non-racism and decolonisation

  • Khanyo Farise
5 min read
People languish behind bars for years in countries like eSwatini and Malawi before their cases come to court.
AFRICAN CHARTER

Reform the African criminal justice system, starting with prisons oversight

air and timely access to justice is enshrined in the African Charter, yet many spend years behind bars, their cases in limbo or never brought before a court.

  • Chikondi Chijozi & Melusi Simelane
5 min read
Some countries such as Tanzania still retain the death penalty
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY

Abolish the death penalty in Africa

The African Court ruling on Tanzania’s mandatory death penalty ruled that sentencing someone to death by hanging violates Article 5 of the African Charte

  • Melusi Simelane
5 min read
Forty years after its adoption Africa is nowhere near achieving the promises of the African Charter. (Ziyange Auntony/AFP)
AFRICA

Evaluating the African Charter, 40 years on

Africa is nowhere near achieving the promises of the African Charter, which only underscores its importance

  • Solomon A Dersso
7 min read