COVID-19: African Court suspends conference

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has suspended its 56th Ordinary Session because of the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement by the Registrar of the Court, Dr Robert Eno, the president of the court, Justice Sylvain Ore took the measure on to “prevent any risk of contracting COVID-19 by […]

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has suspended its 56th Ordinary Session because of the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement by the Registrar of the Court, Dr Robert Eno, the president of the court, Justice Sylvain Ore took the measure on to “prevent any risk of contracting COVID-19 by the judges and the staff.”

‘’The court has decided to act decisively in the interest of health and safety of all judges, staff and residents of Arusha and beyond.

“Among other emergency measures adopted by the court was to decongest the court by ordering all non-essential staff to work from home and key departments with limited staff to carry out their duties on shift-basis until further notice.

“The president of the court has urged the staff to take maximum precaution during this difficult period by ensuring that they adhere to all hygienic conditions, including use of sterilisers, frequent washing of hands and abstaining from crowded places, among others”, he said.

The court is composed of eleven judges, nationals of member states of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.

The Ordinary Sessions of the Court are held four times in a year, and there may also be Extra-Ordinary Sessions.