Accomplishments

Evelyn A. Ankumah and Luis Moreno Ocampo at AFLA's Roundtable Conference at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Feb. 2007

Judge Navi Pillay and Hon. Dr. Ahmed Fathy Sorour, during the 1st Expert Meeting in Cairo which prepared the first draft of the Cairo-Arusha Principles, Egypt 2001

Since its establishment in 1995, Africa Legal Aid (AFLA) has fulfilled its mission of Making Human Rights a Reality for Africa and its people by strengthening justice sectors including African Civic Publics, Women’s Groups, the Judiciary, The African Human Rights Machinery, the Legal Fraternity, among others. To ensure maximum impact, AFLA has shared its expertise with international bodies mandated to promote accountability and end impunity in Africa and elsewhere by sensitizing them to much needed African Perspectives on Human Rights and International Justice. In this connection AFLA has worked closely with the International Criminal Court (ICC) since its establishment in 2003, and with the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), since 2000.

Over the years AFLA has developed an extensive and loyal network of justice advocates, leading academics and opinion leaders, human rights practitioners and gender experts. In addition to its own in-house expertise, AFLA is able to tap into the expertise and know-how of its extensive and loyal network in implementing its multiple tasks.

AFLA has executed more than 25 Capacity Building Workshops and Experts Meetings in ten countries. AFLA has provided selected and targeted legal assistance to many victims of human rights violations and assisted NGOs in doing the same. In addition, AFLA has published more than 40 editions of its “flagship journal”, the Africa Legal Aid Quarterly, Three Books, and over 20 Reports and Proceedings of Workshops.

It is of historical importance to note that under the auspices of AFLA the Cairo-Arusha Principles on Universal Jurisdiction in Respect of Gross Human Rights Offences: an African Perspective was adopted. The Principles, coined “the voice of Africa on international crimes” enjoy international recognition and are used for advocacy and lobbying initiatives.

Africa Legal Aid is a recognized and leading voice in human rights and justice developments in Africa, and will continue to provide its invaluable service to translate paper written rights into practical reality for Africa and its people.