PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN AFRICA
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, also known as the African Disability Rights Protocol, was adopted by the African Union Heads of States during the thirtieth ordinary session of the AU Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29th January 2018.
The primary objective of the Protocol is to promote, safeguard and ensure the complete and equal exercise of all human and people’s rights for individuals with disabilities in Africa, as well as to ensure respect for their inherent dignity. The protocol complements the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) by addressing the rights of persons with disabilities from an African perspective, considering the lived realities of individuals with disabilities on the continent while maintaining the core values and principles as set forth in the UNCRPD.
To come into effect, this protocol requires ratification by a minimum of 15 African Union Member States.
As of today, Mr. Lefhoko Kesamang of the African Union Commission (AUC) has informed us that a total of 10 African countries (Angola, Burundi, Cameroun, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, and South Africa) have ratified the protocol.
The African Disability Forum (ADF), serving as the representative Pan-African Organization of national, sub-regional, and regional organizations of persons with disabilities, envisions an inclusive Africa where all persons with disabilities and their families have their rights recognized and their voices heard, and actively participate in the life of their communities and nations. The ADF, in collaboration with other organizations and partners, has been working on advocating for the ratification of this important legal instrument, considering it as one of the organization’s top-priority focus areas.
We would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to those countries who have ratified the protocol and call on other countries to take action and ratify this significant instrument.
Additionally we commend the AUC for prioritizing this cause along with the organizations and ADF members who have been advocating for the protocols ratification. We encourage them to persist in their advocacy efforts.
ADF is committed to continue advocating and collaborating with others for the ratification and enforcement of the protocol across Africa.
Mr. Shuaib Chalklen – Executive Director
African Disability Forum
September 21, 2023
