The African System and Human Rights

The African Charter on Human and People's Rights has been ratified by a substantial number of nations.  The African Charter system was adopted by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), a regional intergovernmental organization.  The African Charter reflects influences from United Nations instruments and differs from the European and Inter-American systems.  The Charter outlines the rights of individuals (life, freedom from slavery and torture) the rights of the people corporately (self-determination, peace, social, economic and cultural development) and contains duties which reflect the idea that individual rights are tempered by the rights of society and of other individuals.