Photo credit: AfCHPR

Tunis/Paris, 1 November 2025 – The Mediterranean Centre for Peace and Security (CMPS) took part in the consultation process aimed at developing the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, thus reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional human rights protection mechanisms through legal innovation and inclusive dialogue.

In its contribution, the CMPS emphasized the need for the Court to strengthen its accessibility and effectiveness, while improving the implementation of its judgments across the continent. This new strategy, according to CMPS, represents a crucial opportunity to broaden access to justice, particularly by encouraging more African Union Member States to ratify the Protocol establishing the Court and to accept direct access by individuals and non-governmental organizations.

CMPS also stressed the importance of strengthening the monitoring of the implementation of the Court’s decisions through enhanced mechanisms, such as holding public compliance hearings and appointing national focal points. Modernizing judicial procedures is another priority, involving the adoption of digital case management tools, the implementation of online monitoring systems, and the use of hybrid hearings to ensure greater transparency and reduce delays.

Recognizing the central role of civil society, CMPS advocated for in-depth and regular dialogue between the Court, NGOs, bar associations, and human rights defenders, through regional forums and thematic consultation platforms. According to the CMPS, this dialogue is essential to strengthen the reach of the Court’s jurisprudence and encourage its adoption at the national level.

Finally, CMPS reiterated that the sustainability of the Court’s mission depends on strengthening its institutional capacities and ensuring stable funding. It therefore encouraged the reinforcement of the Legal Aid Fund and the Court’s Trust Fund to guarantee effective access to justice for all, including the most vulnerable groups.

Through these proposals, CMPS puts forward a vision of a modern, resilient and inclusive African human rights system — a system based on the principle of “African solutions to African problems”, through shared responsibility and collective commitment.