The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights will this week undertake a regional sensitisation visit to Chad to hold discussions with relevant stakeholders with a view to promote the Court.

The delegation of the Court will also pay courtesy calls to top Chadian government officials, relevant ministries, Bar Association and the Human Rights Commission between December 14 and 16.

The seminars will be preceded by a one-day sensitisation for senior Chadian Journalists and Editors on December 14, according to a statement.

The Mission will be led by the President of the Court Justice Augustino Ramadhani.

Since December 2010, the Court has carried out continent-wide promotion programmes which have so far seen it hold 24 sensitisation visits and nine regional and continental seminars and conferences.

"The sensitisation visits are aimed to enhance the protection of human rights in Africa, raise public awareness about the Court; encourage the ratification and the deposit of the Declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol of the Court that allows individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court; and sensitise would-be applicants on how to access the Court and the procedures before the Court,” the statement said.

Participants are also encouraged to utilise the Court in settling human rights disputes and to utilise the Court to render advisory opinions.

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