Understanding the African Commission’s role in combating TOCs in Africa

By Feyi Ogunade 

A key premise of this study is that transnational organised crimes (TOCs) violate core human rights norms, principles and values of regional and international human rights instruments, including the Banjul Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This study examines the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ role and work in combating TOCs in Africa. Specifically, it looks at how the Commission has dealt with TOCs within the African human rights system (AfHRS) using its various internal mechanisms, and especially how it has used the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) to combat TOCs in the region.

   REcommendations: Adopt clear procedures for following up. • Adopt a more systematic and comprehensive approach including guidelines to address the human rights implications of TOCs. • Establish a TOC unit with knowledgeable personnel. • Formally extend its mandate to include TOCs. By aligning the efforts of the Commission with other regional and international initiatives like ECOWAS, African states can strengthen their responses to TOCs, promote accountability and protect the rights of individuals and communities. The Commission should: Recommendations A key premise of this study is that transnational organised crimes (TOCs) violate core human rights norms, principles and values of regional and international human rights instruments, including the Banjul Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This study examines the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ role and work in combating TOCs in Africa. Specifically, it looks at how the Commission has dealt with TOCs within the African human rights system (AfHRS) using its various internal mechanisms, and especially how it has used the African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) to combat TOCs in the region. 

Research Paper 41

ENACT Africa, 2024. 22p.