Human Rights in Africa Research Guide
The human rights system in Africa has been severally considered as the youngest in the world hence there may seem to be a gap in available literature in this area. This research guide is an attempt to help researchers find resources on the subject of human rights in Africa especially at the Osgoode Hall Law School Library. The guide also includes available Internet resources. Human rights research involves consulting interdisciplinary resources and I have listed some of these which are available to York University faculty and students.
Accessing Library Materials
The library catalogue can be accessed at http://www.library.yorku.ca Here you can check the availability and location of library materials and resources. You can also check for electronic resources (eResources) in the library collection.
Primary Materials |
Primary Materials
Case Law
- Oxford Reports on International Human Rights Law (Available through eResources (Law) or the library catalogue)
- Oxford Reports on International Law in Domestic Courts (Available through eResources (Law) or the library catalogue)
- International Centre for the legal protection of human rights (INTERIGHTS) - (Commonwealth & International Human Rights Case Law Databases)
- LexisNexis Academic (Access for York faculty and students only)
- Westlaw Canada (Access for Osgoode faculty and students only)
- WorldLII – WorldLII is a free database that covers over 123 jurisdictions. It provides access to limited case law for African countries.
Legislation
- WorldLII – WorldLII gives access to limited legislation of some African countries.
International Courts and Tribunals
- African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights - This court was established to hear cases that are in violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The website provides full access to cases that have been heard before the court as well as a list pending cases.
- International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) - This Tribunal was established for the prosecution of persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations committed in the territory of Rwanda between 1 January 1994 and 1 December 1994. On the website you will find judgments and decisions of the tribunal
- Special Court for Sierra Leone - The Special Court for Sierra Leone was set up with the mandate to try all those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996. The website provides access to the cases heard by the court as well as its rules of procedure and evidence.
Treaties
- African Charter on Human & Peoples’ Rights 1981 - This Charter was adopted in June 1981 by the eighteenth Assembly of Heads of State and Government, entered into force on 21 October 1986. Its aim is to promote and recognize the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the African people.
- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 1990 – This Charter was adopted in July 1990 and entered into force on 29 November 1999 aims at protecting the rights and welfare of the African child.
- Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa - The Protocol affirms the provisions of Article 18 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights calling for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and ensuring the protection of the rights of women as stipulated on international declarations and conventions.
- African Union – The AU formerly Organization for African Unity is Africa’s premier institution. The organization’s website provides access to full-text of treaties, conventions, protocols, decisions, declarations and reports.
- United Nations Treaty Collection - The UN Treaty Collection contains all treaties of the United Nations including those of African nations on the issues of human rights. This resource is available as a database to York University faculty and students through eResources (Law) or the library catalogue.
Compiled by Yemisi Dina
Last updated on August 18, 2010
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