40 years of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
On African Human Rights Day, the AU Commission chairperson praised four decades of progress and called for closer work with the continent's rights institutions.
Addis Ababa — Africa wrote its own human rights treaty, and this year it marks 40 years since it came into force. On African Human Rights Day, 21 October, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf marked the anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights with a statement from Addis Ababa.
What makes the Charter different
It balances individual rights, peoples' rights and the duties individuals owe to their communities.
What the chairperson said
- He reaffirmed the AU's commitment to human dignity, justice, equality and fundamental freedoms.
- He commended four decades of progress by member states, African institutions and others.
- He paid tribute to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
- He called for closer cooperation between member states and these bodies to put Africa's human rights instruments into practice.
- He said peace, stability, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights reinforce one another, and urged work on access to justice, equality and economic, social and cultural rights.
The AU committed to supporting member states and institutions in line with Agenda 2063, "The Africa We Want".
Source: African Union Commission, 21 October 2026.
