The Sierra Leone House of Parliament has ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen the protection of human rights, uphold the rule of law and reinforce its commitment to regional and international legal obligations. The Protocol was presented before Parliament by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., on Thursday, 16 July 2026.
Presenting the instrument, Alpha Sesay Esq. explained that the Protocol was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the former Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 9 June 1998 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, before entering into force on 25 January 2004. He said the Protocol establishes the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights as an independent continental judicial institution mandated to promote and safeguard human rights across Africa.
The Attorney General informed lawmakers that the Court was created to complement and strengthen the work of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights by providing an independent judicial mechanism for interpreting and applying the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights treaties ratified by African Union Member States.
He further highlighted Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to international legal standards, noting that the country has aligned itself with several global and regional intellectual property agreements administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). Among the treaties cited were the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Rome Convention, the WIPO Copyright Treaty, the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks, the Budapest Treaty, the Hague Agreement on Industrial Designs, the Lisbon Agreement, the Banjul Protocol on Marks and the Protocol on the Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights.
According to Alpha Sesay Esq., those international agreements establish recognized standards for the protection of copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial designs, geographical indications and performers’ rights while encouraging innovation, creativity, investment, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth.
Explaining the jurisdiction of the African Court, the Attorney General said it is empowered to hear cases brought by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, State Parties to the Protocol, African intergovernmental organisations and, where the required declaration has been made, individuals and non-governmental organisations with observer status before the African Commission. He added that the Court has the authority to issue binding judgments, award compensation and other forms of reparations to victims of human rights violations and provide advisory opinions on legal questions relating to human rights.
Speaking on the significance of the ratification, Alpha Sesay Esq. said Sierra Leone’s approval of the Protocol reinforces the country’s commitment to promoting, protecting and enforcing human rights in accordance with the Constitution and its international obligations. He noted that the move would strengthen Sierra Leone’s position within the African Union, improve access to justice through an additional regional judicial mechanism, promote democratic governance and accountability, encourage the harmonization of domestic legislation with international human rights standards and enhance investor confidence by demonstrating the country’s commitment to a stable and predictable legal environment.
The Attorney General, however, clarified that ratification of the Protocol does not automatically grant individuals direct access to the African Court. He explained that such access can only be obtained through a separate declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol.
Describing the Protocol as a landmark legal instrument within Africa’s human rights framework, Alpha Sesay Esq. said its ratification underscores Sierra Leone’s unwavering dedication to justice, accountability, democratic governance and the protection of the dignity and fundamental rights of all citizens.
Declaring the importance of Parliament’s approval, he announced that Sierra Leone has now become a State Party to the African continent’s premier human rights court.
“By becoming a State Party to this Protocol, we are strengthening our commitment to the protection of human rights at home while contributing to the advancement of Africa’s continental human rights architecture,” Alpha Sesay Esq. told Parliament.
