AFLA Policy Documents

The Cairo-Arusha Principles on Universal Jurisdiction in Respect of Gross Human Rights Offences: An African Perspective were adopted in October 2002 in Arusha, Tanzania, under the auspices of AFLA.

The Principles, coined “the voice of Africa on international criminal justice”, are aimed at assisting governments, in Africa and around the world, in exercising their powers and obligations, human rights organisations and legal practitioners in their attempts to pursue international justice, and advocacy and lobbying initiatives. They are also aimed at contributing to the progressive development of international law.

The Cairo-Arusha Principles enjoy international recognition and have been used for advocacy initiatives not only in Africa, but also in the Global North. The principles were also cited by Judge ad hoc Van Den Wyngaert in DRC v. Belgium before the International Court of Justice.