African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

Social media is one of the most powerful tools available to Africans — especially the sizeable youth population — who previously have felt disenfranchised, neglected, and powerless.  Across the continent, this tool has been wielded to demand accountability, strengthen democracy, and increase transparency.  Unfortunately, there are increasing efforts to attack…
Continue Reading You Cannot Use Your Hand to Force the Sun to Set

Today, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued its judgment on the landmark freedom of speech case, Lohé Issa Konaté v. Burkina Faso.  In a major victory for media and human rights organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Court “has ruled that imprisonment for defamation violates the…
Continue Reading African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Issues Landmark Ruling on Criminal Defamation Laws

Late last week, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights held a public hearing for the Matter of Lohé Issa Konaté v. Burkina Faso, the first freedom of expression case to be heard by the Court. In this landmark case, Konaté — and a number of journalists’ associations and …
Continue Reading African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Hears Landmark Free Speech Case