CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS IN AFRICA ARE EMPHASIZED TO SAFEGUARD, PRESERVE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY

• Other pillars of the State also reminded of their responsibility to manage and implement human rights

• Countries with no Constitutions with human rights touch are also advised to review theirs 

By MARY GWERA, Judiciary of Tanzania-Zimbabwe

Constitutional Courts in Africa have the responsibility to ensure that they promote and preserve human dignity and basic human rights to bring prosperity to the rights of Africans and the world as a whole.

This was said on October 31st, 2024 by the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Retired General Hon. Dr. Constantino Chiwenga while opening the 7th Congress of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) held in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe which the Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma is among the attending participants.

"The respect for human rights and dignity is in the Constitution of almost all countries, so it is our responsibility to manage, protect and respect human rights and dignity," said Hon. Dr. Chiwenga.

The Vice President who represented the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Hon. Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa further said that, he expects that through the 7th Conference, experts in the Legal Sector will come up with more effective and efficient ways to be used by the various Courts to check basic human rights.

He added that, apart from the Judiciary, other Pillars of the State, including the Government and Parliament, have also the responsibility to implement and manage human dignity and rights.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe, Hon. Luke Malaba said, it is crucial for the Constitutional Courts to cooperate closely in order to continue protecting human dignity and rights.

"All human beings are born free and equal, so it is good for the Court to protect the dignity and rights and freedom of all human beings equally," said Hon. Malaba

He has said that, the Constitutional Courts have the authority to manage rights and human dignity and that through the Conference it is good to look at the best ways to protect human dignity with respect.

Meanwhile, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Morocco who is also the President of the Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA), Hon. Mohammed Amine Benabdallah, has said that, CJCA members will ensure that they cooperate with various countries to manage and protect human rights and dignity.

"Human rights are a very important issue that should considered and given priority therefore it is very crucial to preserve them by cooperating with each other for easier implementation of this issue," said Hon. Benabdallah.

He has explained that the CJCA conference will be used as a forum to discuss the intended goals and finally come up with a common view on the importance of managing and protecting human rights and dignity.

The 7th CJCA Conference theme says; ‘Human dignity as a fundamental value and principle: Source of constitutional interpretation, protection of basic human rights and implementation.’

During this Conference, the participants will have an opportunity to share experiences about the implementation of human rights and learn more about what the Constitution and Laws of their countries state about human rights and dignity.

The Judiciary of Tanzania is one of the participants of the 7th CJCA Conference; other countries are Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, South Africa, Namibia, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Togo, Turkey, Egypt, Seychelles, Russia, Senegal and others.

The Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Retired General Hon. Dr. Constantino Chiwenga delivering his speech when opening the 7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) on October 31st, 2024 at the 'Elephant' Hotel in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma (left) with the Retired Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Mohamed Chande Othman (right) attending the 7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) which started on October 31st, 2024 in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma following up on what was happening during the opening session of the 7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) on October 31st, 2024. On the right side is the Retired Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Mohamed Chande Othman.

The Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma (left) showing something to the Retired Chief Justice of Tanzania, Hon. Mohamed Chande Othman during the Opening ceremony of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) at the Elephant Hills Resort Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme and Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe, Hon. Luke Malaba speaking during the opening ceremony of the 7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) held in Victoria Falls- Zimbabwe.

The President of the Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Morocco who is also the President of the African Constitutional Authority (CJCA), Hon. Mohammed Amine Benabdallah speaking during the opening ceremony of the 7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) on October 31st, 2024 in Victoria Falls- Zimbabwe.

Part of the Judiciary of Tanzania Officers following up the opening session of the  7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) on October 31st, 2024 in Victoria Falls- Zimbabwe.

Various photos of the participants and the invitees following what was happening during the opening ceremony of the CJCA Conference.

The high table led by the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Retired General Hon. Dr. Constantino Chiwenga (centre) in a group photo with some of the participants of the 7th Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA).

(Photos by MARY GWERA, Judiciary of Tanzania)