From Olalekan Awojodu, Abuja
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has commended the work of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The African Court delegation was in Mauritania for a three-day sensitization mission to encourage the North- West African country to sign the Declaration.
At the parley, the Prime Minister of Mauritania H.E. Mohamed Ould Bilal told the visiting President of the African Court Hon Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud and her delegation in Nouakchott that the Court has deepened human rights on the continent.
“Mauritania greatly appreciates the work of the Pan African Judicial Organ in protecting human rights on the continent’’ he said.
Receiving the delegation at the Prime Minister’ Office, H.E Bilal assured that Mauritania was committed to human rights and the rule of law.
He was also optimistic that Mauritania will, as soon as possible, deposit the Declaration to allow individuals access the African Court directly.
Responding on behalf of the Court, the President lauded the government of Mauritania for the warm reception, meetings and the sensitization seminar.
‘’I am convinced that Mauritania is on its right course to uphold human rights and will shortly deposit the Declaration to allow Mauritanians access the Court directly,’’ said Lady Justice Aboud.
The success of the Court as a human rights protection mechanism according to Aboud requires a wider ratification of the Protocol by Member States, as well as their acceptance of the competence of the Court, by making the declaration under Article 34(6).
Mauritania will be recalled to acceded to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 14 December 2005 but is yet to deposit the Declaration under Article 34(6).
The States that have deposited the Declaration so far are Burkina Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mali, Niger and Tunisia.
Meanwhile, the 66th Ordinary Session of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights will commence at its seat on Monday in Arusha, Tanzania.
A new Judge, Professor Dennis Dominic Adjei, a national of Ghana, will be sworn-in at the session. Adjei was elected for a term of six years at the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Lusaka, Zambia last month.
Also, Hon. Justice Ntyam Ondo Mengue from Cameroon was re-elected for a second and final term of six years.
The Judges, among others, will examine a number of applications during the four-week session that will close on 23 September 2022.
The Court will deliver Judgments on 22 September which will be live streamed via link.
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