TZ fulfills promise of offering land for AfCHPR

THE government on Sunday presented CRJE (East Africa) Limited a 26- hectare- of land for the proposed construction of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights (AfCHPR) new premises.

The move is part of Tanzania’s fulfillment of the promise it made to the African Union (AU) of hosting the continental court.

Speaking recently after handing the plot of land at Laki laki area in the city’s outskirts, the Permanent Secretary in the Foreign affairs and East African cooperation, Ambassador Samwel Shelukindo said the government will continue keeping tabs with the progress of the two-year project of constructing the court.

“Where need be, we will be ready to offer any kind of assistance and support in ensuring that the project materialises on time,” he assured.

Upon its completion, the 9bn/- worth of project will house a number of facilities including a fitness centre, conference room, medical facility and a day care centre.

The location is in the vicinity of the United Nations Mechanism for International Tribunals.

Currently, the continental court operates from its temporary offices at the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) buildings.

For her part, AfCHPR President Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud welcomed the government’s decision, describing it as a bold step in ensuring that the continental judicial institution gets its permanent home.

“We are very grateful today to witness such a noble gesture from the government of Tanzania as a host country,” explained the AfCHPR President.

The AfCHPR President further attested Tanzania’s commitment to the cause of human rights, and generally, its unconditional support for the objectives of Pan Africanism.

Echoing similar sentiments, Arusha Regional Commissioner John Mongella thanked the government for fulfilling such a dream, saying it will further cement Arusha’s position as a diplomatic city.

Tanzania expressed its readiness to host the AfCHPR in 2007; a year after the Court relocated its operations from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which is also the headquarters of the African Union Commission.

The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.

It was established by African countries to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.

AfCHPR has jurisdiction over all cases and disputes submitted to it concerning the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and any other relevant human rights instrument ratified by the States concerned.