A guide entitled ‘Protecting the rights of minorities in Africa: A guide for human rights activists and civil society organizations’ was published by Minority Rights Group International, in March 2008. The author of the guide is Ibrahima Kane, former Senior Lawyer at INTERIGHTS and AU Advocacy Director at Open Society. The guide was published as part of a project entitled ‘Strengthening the Capacity of Minority and Indigenous Peoples in Africa to Advocate for the Implementation of African Regional and International Standards.’ The guide primarily focuses on providing information on regional opportunities for protection of minority rights in Africa.
The guide is prepared to help and support organizations created by and for the minorities, lawyers and other human rights activists who are engaged in fighting for the rights of minorities in Africa. It provides them with legal guidance that can prove to be quite beneficial in combating the violation of their rights.
The guide clearly highlights the lack of any legal section that pertains specifically to the protection of minority rights in Africa. Due to this fact, the rights of the minorities cannot be considered safe, as in spite of their violation, the minorities are unable to go to court to appeal for justice. The guide attempts not only to educate the activists who are struggling for minority rights, by providing them comprehensive information on various legal tools available, but also makes an appeal to the African regional or sub-regional political institutions that have been set-up for the protection of human rights.
The guide is divided into three parts: Introduction to the rights of minorities in international human rights law, The legal framework for the promotion and protection of minorities’ rights In Africa, and Advocacy and litigation strategies.
You can download the guide from this link.
