Human Rights in Africa
From the OAU to the African Union

Examines the role of the OAU and how it has dealt with human rights.

Rachel Murray (Author)

9780521839174, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 December 2004

360 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 2.5 cm, 0.673 kg

'Being mainly descriptive analyses of African human rights regionalism … Murray's book, in particular, provides sufficiently researched material for anyone interested in getting an updated picture of … the place of human rights in regional political institutions.' Leiden Journal of International Law

This work examines the role of the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union, and how it has dealt with human rights since its inception in 1963. It considers the role of its main institutions both under the OAU and its transformation into the African Union. The book is divided into chapters examining various themes including the rights of women, the rights of the child, the concept of democracy and the right to development. Written by a leading human rights scholar, this book is essential reading for lawyers acting for African states, and for foreign governments and NGOs active in Africa, as well as being of interest to international and comparative human rights scholars.

Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
1. Historical overview of human rights in the OAU/AU
2. The relationship between the OAU/AU and the African Commission on human and peoples' rights
3. The link between human rights and democracy
4. The relationship between conflict and human rights
5. Women and the OAU/AU
6. Children's rights in the OAU/AU
7. Refugees and human rights
8. Development, NEPAD and human rights
9. Conclusion
Appendix I. Charter of the Organization of African Unity
Appendix II. Constitutive Act of the African Union
Appendix III. African Charter on human and peoples' rights
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Educational: History [YQH], International law [LB], Political science & theory [JPA], Regional studies [GTB]