International human rights law (IHRL) is the body of international law designed to promote human rights on social, regional, and domestic levels. As a form of international law, international human rights law is primarily made up of treaties, agreements between sovereign states intended to have binding legal effect between the parties that have agreed to them; and customary international law. Other international human rights instruments, while not legally binding, contribute to the implementation, understanding and development of international human rights law and have been recognized as a source of political obligation.
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union. It held its inaugural session in March 2004. The Parliament exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, having lasting for the first five years. Initially the seat of the Pan-African Parliament was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but was later moved to Midrand, South Africa. The goal in establishing the parliament was creating a space where people from all states of Africa could meet, deliberate, and pass some policy on issues that affect the entire continent of Africa.
To help coordinate efforts in dealing with issues on the continent the Pan-African Parliament created eleven permanent committees:
- Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment
- Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs
- Committee on Trade, Customs, and Immigration Matters
- Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolution
- Committee on Transport, Industry, Communication, Energy, Science, and Technology
- Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs
- Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, and People with Disabilities
- Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism, and Human Resources
- Committee on Justice and Human Rights
- Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline
- Committee on Audit and Public Accounts
The Committee on Rural Economy Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment is one of the ten Permanent Committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Committee on Trade, Customs, and Immigration Matters, is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolution is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Committee on Health, Labour, and Social Affairs is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament. It deals with issues relating to education, cultural issues, tourism and human resources.
The Committee on Gender, Family, Youths and People with Disabilities is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament. It concentrates on issues concerning women, family and people and children with disabilities.
The Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline is one of the ten permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament.
The African Union (AU) is a continental union of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The bloc was founded on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and launched on 9 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa. The intention of the AU was to replace the Organization of African Unity (OAU), established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa by 32 signatory governments; the OAU was disbanded on 9 July 2002. The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states.
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) was formed in July 2001, one and half years after the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child came into force. The Committee became operational in 2003.
The Panel of the Wise (PoW) is a consultative body of the African Union, composed of five appointed members who each serve three year terms. Its mandate is to provide opinions to the Peace and Security Council on issues relevant to conflict prevention, management, and resolution. Representatives are chosen for the North, East, South, West, and Central regions of the continent.
Janet Ong'era is the immediate former Kisii County Woman Member of the National Assembly (2017-2022) in the Republic of Kenya. She is the Chairperson of the Eastern Africa Region at the Pan African Parliament.
African Union law is the body of law comprising treaties, resolutions and decisions that have direct and indirect application to the member States of the African Union (AU). Similar to European Union law, AU law regulates the behavior of countries party to the regional body.
Gratitude Bulelani Magwanishe is a South African politician and lawyer, who is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. He is a former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and has been a member of parliament for the African National Congress since 1999.
Martha Karambu Koome is a Kenyan advocate who is currently serving as the Chief Justice of Kenya, and is the first woman to occupy the post.
