Tema-Ghana, June 7, CDA Consult – The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, have all reaffirmed their dedication to the tenets and goals set forth in their respective regional human rights accords.
The American Convention on Human Rights, the European Convention on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, and other pertinent international human rights documents are among the instruments. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights is also included.
The “Declaration of San Jose,” a reaffirmation made by the three continental human rights courts, was declared at the conclusion of a conference held in San José, Costa Rica, from May 25 to 26, 2023, to mark the occasion of the Dialogue among Regional Human Rights Courts.
The continental human rights court promised to take into account the institutional and jurisprudential discussion’s historical setting in a statement released at the conclusion of the dialogue and copied to the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema.
The three Courts concurred that in order to maintain peace and uphold human dignity, States in the three regions that fall under their respective jurisdictions must ensure the effective protection of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
For the protection and realisation of human rights as well as a functioning democracy supported by the rule of law, sound governance, efficient access to justice, and judicial independence are crucial.
Additionally, they emphasised the necessity to uphold the integrity of judges in each of their individual regions as well as to support and protect the independence and impartiality of their own legal systems.
This involves bolstering procedures for the appointment and selection of judges, ensuring their safety and protection from threats and improper direct or indirect intervention, and fostering an unbiased and open administration of justice.
They reaffirm their commitment to participate in ongoing dialogue and consultation mechanisms to exchange experiences, knowledge, and best practises in the interpretation and application of their respective regional human rights instruments in order to acknowledge the significance of enhancing coordination and collaboration among regional courts.
The three human rights courts reiterated the necessity of coordinating efforts to advance and disseminate regional human rights standards in the relevant regions, including the planning of cooperative workshops, seminars, and conferences as well as the creation of informational and educational material to promote human rights and their protection.
Each Court will make every effort to organise an annual seminar (virtual or in-person) on pertinent issues addressed to the general public in which it will share its case law advancements. The three Courts will continue to publish their joint annual case law reports.
