Arusha, 22 January 2025: The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) will on Monday, 3 February 2025 hold a Solemn Ceremony to mark the opening of its 2025 Judicial Year, under the theme “Advancing Justice through Reparations”.

The Ceremony will take place at the Seat of the Court in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, and will be graced by His Excellency José Maria Pereira Neves, President of the Republic of Cape Verde, who is the Guest of Honour.

As part of the activities for the Opening of the Judicial Year, the Court will host a Judicial Seminar on 4 February 2025, themed “Rendering Justice for Women through Reparations.’”

The Solemn Ceremony and Judicial Seminar will bring together representatives of African Union Member States, international, regional and national Courts, African Union organs with a human rights mandate, national human rights institutions, legal professionals and representatives of Bar Associations. Additionally, civil society organisations, members of the academia, members of the press and other stakeholders involved in the work of the Court and the protection of human rights on the continent are expected to participate.

The Ceremony will commence with a solemn procession of the Honourable Judges of the African Court at 10:30 AM East African Time (EAT) and will be live-streamed via the Court’s digital platforms.

This Solemn Ceremony also marks the commencement of the 76th Ordinary Session of the Court, scheduled to run from 3 to 28 February 2025 at its Seat in Arusha, Tanzania.

On 5 February 2025, the Court will deliver eight (8) judgments, adopted during its 75^th Ordinary Session, starting at 10:00 AM East African Time.

The Solemn Ceremony, the Judicial Seminar and Delivery of Judgments will adopt a hybrid model, allowing participants to follow the proceedings physically or virtually via the following links:

YouTube Channel
English Channel, French Channel, Swahili Channel

Zoom Platform
https://zoom.us/j/99379810510
Passcode: 379168

For all platforms, there will be simultaneous interpretation in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Kiswahili.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) is a continental court established by African Union Member States to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. The Court is an organ of the African Union and it complements and reinforces the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights which is based in Banjul, The Gambia.
2. The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
3. Each year, the Court launches its activities with a solemn ceremony to official opening of its judicial year, underscoring its commitment to the protection of human and peoples’ rights across Africa and beyond. The opening sets the tone for the year ahead and serves as a call to action for meaningful strides in safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Africans.

Further information on the Court can be obtained from www.african-court.org
For further inquiries: Dr Robert Eno, Registrar – Robert.Eno@african-court.org
For media inquiries: Chipiliro Kansilanga, Senior Information & Communication Officer