The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: A Commentary
 

Authors:

J Sloth-Nielsen, E Fokala and G Odongo 

Summary:

Since its adoption in July 1990 and entry into force in November 1999, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (African Children’s Charter), has become a key treaty within the African human rights system, governing children’s rights in Africa. To date, 51 out of 55 African Union member states have ratified the African Children’s Charter, which demonstrates a growing commitment to respect, protect and promote the rights of children. There is no doubt that the Charter, since entering into force, has significantly contributed to the development of standards and practice related to children in Africa. This edited book volume is a comprehensive commentary on the African Children’s Charter, the first of its kind, and it provides a systematic analysis of each article of the Charter, tracing the origin of the rights, highlighting and explaining unique African concepts and normative standards featured in the Charter. The book is designed as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for anyone interested in protecting and promoting children’s rights in Africa, such as researchers, teachers, students, practitioners, policy-makers and activists. The edited book is authored by an array of contributors steeped in African jurisprudence and human rights values, and constitutes an essential and contemporary guide to the legal understanding of the various provisions of the Charter.

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Link to commentary