President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Justice Modibo Sacko (right), hands over the latest edition of the African Court’s report to East African Law Society President Ramadhan Abubakar at the African Court in Arusha, last week.
By The Arusha News Reporter
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) and the East African Law Society (EALS) have pledged to deepen collaboration to expand access to justice and reinforce the protection of human and peoples’ rights across the continent.
The commitment was announced last Friday during a courtesy visit by an 11-member EALS delegation led by President Ramadhan Abubakar to the AfCHPR seat in Arusha, where they met with Court President Justice Modibo Sacko, Vice-President Justice Chafika Bensaoula, Deputy Registrar Grace Wakio Kakai and other senior officials.
During discussions, both institutions agreed to pursue joint initiatives, including awareness-raising, legal aid and pro-bono services, training and advocacy.
Justice Sacko welcomed the partnership, stressing that the court’s effectiveness depends on support from legal professionals: “The court exists because there are litigants. Let us work together, drawing on your expertise as lawyers and advocates, to protect human and peoples’ rights.”
He urged EALS to mobilise its 42,000 members to join the court’s roster of counsel, act as ambassadors for ratification of the Court’s Protocol and support wider access for individuals and NGOs. Justice Sacko also called on the society to help mark the court’s 20th Anniversary next year by amplifying its achievements and mandate.
EALS President Abubakar affirmed the society’s long-term commitment, promising structured collaboration, outreach and even a joint think-tank to tackle challenges such as state withdrawals from the court.
