The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), in partnership with the National Assembly of the Republic of Djibouti, has convened a three-day technical meeting to refine the Draft Model Law on the Implementation of Decisions of African Human Rights Bodies. The meeting brings together parliamentarians, government officials, legal experts, human-rights institutions, and civil-society representatives.
This initiative follows a mandate from the Pan-African Parliament Plenary tasking the Committee on Justice and Human Rights with developing a harmonised continental legal framework to support African Union Member States in effectively implementing decisions issued by the African Court, the African Commission, and the Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The meeting was officially opened by H.E. Hon. Omar Ahmed Wais, 2nd Vice President of the National Assembly of Djibouti, who reaffirmed his country’s commitment to advancing Africa’s human-rights agenda. “Djibouti is honoured to host this important gathering,” he said. “Our continent’s human-rights bodies play a vital role in protecting the dignity of African citizens, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their decisions are implemented swiftly and effectively.”
Hon. Jean-Marie Nibirantije, Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Justice and Human Rights, emphasised that the implementation of human-rights decisions across Africa remains alarmingly low, undermining justice for victims and the credibility of continental institutions. “Too many decisions of our African human-rights bodies remain unimplemented,” he stressed. “This Model Law is our opportunity to change that by establishing clear procedures, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that victims finally receive the remedies they are owed.”
Over the three days, delegates will review the draft text, consider expert inputs, and update the roadmap toward the Model Law’s final adoption by the PAP Plenary. The meeting also builds on PAP’s strengthened cooperation with the African Court, particularly following their joint engagement in Arusha in 2024.
