The Advanced Human Rights Course on African Human Rights Systems in Comparative Perspectives was held at the University of Pretoria (UP). The course was presented by the Centre for Human Rights from 21 to 25 October 2019.

This year’s course was attended by 44 participants from all over the world representing 22 countries, of which 19 were African. Participants included postgraduate students (Master’s and Doctoral candidates), human rights activists, government officials, judicial officers, policymakers and academics.

Participants of the African human rights system Advanced Human Rights Course

Presenters on this year’s course include:

• Prof Magnus Killander, Centre for Human Rights, UP
• Prof Michelo Hansungule, Centre for Human Rights, UP
• Ms Susan Mutambasere, Centre for Human Rights, UP
• Prof Clara Burbano-Herrera, Faculty of Law, Ghent University, Belgium
• Prof Yves Haeck, Faculty of Law, Ghent University, Belgium
• Mr Michael Nyarko, Centre for Human Rights, UP
• Dr Nkatha Murungi, Centre for Human Rights, UP
• Dr Romola Adeola, Centre for Human Rights, UP

The topics presented at the course were;

• The introduction to the African Human Rights Systems,
• African Charter on Human and People’s rights Agenda 2063
• The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and governance
• The Maputo Protocol and Women’s Rights In Africa
• Elections and the Judiciary in Africa
• The Inter-American Human Rights System
• The European Human Rights System
• The African Court on Human And People’s Rights
• International Criminal Justice In Africa
• Children’s rights in the African Human Rights System
• Protection of Refugees and Internally Displaced People’s (IDPs) in Africa

Throughout the course, particpants had to engage in group work exercises which faciltated interactive exchanges of ideas and experiences on the practical application of the African human rights system. Participants were also given an opportunity to partake in a Moot Court exercise which took place on the last day of the course. The Moot Court question was based on a real Zambian case, which involved the right to a fair trial for the people of Barotseland. The participants were divided into 6 groups, three arguing for the Applicant and three arguing for the Respondent (Government of Zambia).  The exercise furnished participants with practical experience on how to bring a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

This year, the course was extended to online learners as well. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Introduction to the African human rights system was presented free of charge for three weeks from 30 September to 21 October 2019. The course was available on the Centre’s newly launched Open edX platform and a total of 5195 learners enrolled. The platform was realised through the support of the Global Campus of Human Rights.

The financial support of the General Representation of the Government of Flanders is gratefully acknowledged.

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