Algiers (Algeria), Nov. 21, GNA – The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has commended President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria for his support and commitment towards strengthening judicial systems not only in Algeria but across Africa.
“I am particularly elated by the Algerian President’s recognition of the heavy responsibility placed on the shoulders of judges to ensure a just and equitable society in which the rights and freedoms of individuals can flourish.
“This demonstrates his support for the judiciary, and the decision to send the Algerian Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui to grace the opening of the 6th African Union Judicial Dialogue is a manifestation of his and the government’s commitment and recognition of the work of the judiciary in nation-building,” Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, President of the African Court, has stated.
“This commitment does not come as a surprise because for the past few years that I have had the honour to attend the meetings of the policy organs of the African Union, on behalf of the African Court, Algeria has advocated strong and independent institutions, including the AU human rights organs,” the African Court President noted.
Lady Justice Aboud, who was speaking at the ongoing Sixth African Union Judicial Dialogue in Algiers, Algeria, being organized by the African Court, acknowledged the commitment of the Algerian President in holding the 2023–2024 Algerian Judicial Year.
“We were captivated not only by the solemnity of the occasion but more importantly by President Tebboune’s commitment to upholding the annual tradition to emphasize the nobility of the message carried by the judicial system and the heavy responsibility placed on the shoulders of the judges to protect individuals and preserve their rights and freedoms,” she noted.
Focusing on the African Union Judicial Dialogue, the African Court President noted that the biennial gathering is a platform for Chief Justices, Presidents of Constitutional and other superior courts, and heads of continental and sub-regional human rights courts and quasi-judicial bodies on the continent.
Lady Justice Aboud said the Judicial Dialogue had become the largest gathering of judicial authorities on the continent seeking to promote cross-pollination of ideas, exchange best practices and experiences, and explore ways of fostering effective interaction of judicial officers at the national, sub-regional, and continental levels, with the aim of enhancing the protection of human rights and the administration of justice as a whole.
The 6th African Union Judicial Dialogue is “Advancing human rights in Africa: challenges and opportunities for integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence in domestic courts”.
She explained that the theme was not only relevant but also timely, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Charter and the eventual establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
“The OAU Charter encapsulated the dream of the founders of the OAU of a united, strong, and prosperous Africa, and that freedom, equality, justice, peace, and dignity are essential for the achievement of this dream.
“In fact, since the establishment of the OAU in 1963, a few key initiatives have been adopted by our leaders to move us towards the realization of that dream, including, but not limited to, the adoption of the Monrovia Strategy of 1979, the Lagos Plan of Action, and the Final Act of Lagos of 1980.
“Africa’s Priority Programme for Economic Recovery of 1986, the Abuja Treaty on the Establishment of an African Economic Community of 1991, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa of 1991.
“The beginning of the 21st century saw the introduction of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). In 2013, half a century after the establishment of the OAU, at what was dubbed the Golden Jubilee Summit, our leaders adopted yet again another initiative, Africa Agenda 2063, as the basis for Africa’s long-term socio-economic and integrative transformation”.
