V Africa
| Published date | 01 September 2005 |
| Date | 01 September 2005 |
| DOI | 10.1177/016934410502300310 |
| Subject Matter | Part B: Human Rights News |
474
V AFRICA
RACHEL MURRAY
1. AFRICAN COURT ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS
The Permanent Representatives Committee and government legal experts of the
AU met in Addis Ababa from 29 March – 1 April 2005 to discuss developments with
respect to the integration of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and
the African Court of Justice. Among the issues that were raised was the need to reach
consensus on the future approach that would least affect the human rights system of
the AU. The options considered by the meeting were: the creation of a single legal
document to establish an integrated court; an amending protocol which would
ensure the integrity of both courts; or to ensure the functioning of the human rights
court with the aim of creating a single court in the future. The meeting favoured the
first option, namely that a single document should be created to establish an
integrated court. However, it was decided that the draft protocol should be
amended further and the three options should be submitted to the Executive
Council.
2. ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COUNCIL (ECOSOCC) OF
THE AFRICAN UNION
The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union was
launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 30 April 2005. ECOSOCC is intended to be a
forum to ensure dialogue between the African Union and civil society in Africa. It
will be an advisory organ of the AU composed of 150 social and professional groups,
including NGOs. In July 2004 the Assembly of the African Union had adopted the
Statutes of ECOSOCC.
1
At the meeting in April 2005 the Interim General Assembly
of ECOSOCC was launched. This will work towards election of the General
Assembly. It elected an Interim Standing Committee, which will be in operation for
two years. A resolution adopted by the Interim General Assembly called on the heads
of State of the AU member States to impose a USD 5 tax on air tickets between
African countries, and USD 10 on air tickets to and from countries outside of Africa,
the proceeds going to the Commission of the AU.
2
A Kenyan national, Mrs Wangari
Matai, was elected by ECOSOCC’s Interim General Assembly as Chairperson.
1
Assembly/AU/Dec.42 (III).
2
Resolution No. 01/ECOSOCC/AU/05.
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