3.2
Decisions on Admissibility ...........................................................................................................16
3.3
Rule - Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies ..............................................................................17
3.3.1
Basics about exhaustion of domestic remedies ........................................................................ 18
3.3.2
The requirement that a remedy be “available”, “effective” and “adequate” ..... 19
i)
Disciplinary and Administrative Remedies considered inadequate for certain
violations.................................................................................................................................................................... 21
ii) Domestic exhaustion neither practical nor desirable ........................................................... 21
iii) Mass Violations Exception in the ACHPR ...................................................................................... 21
3.3.3
Meeting the exhaustion requirement: key aspects ................................................................ 22
3.3.4
Implications of the ‘exhaustion’ rule on women ..................................................................... 23
3.3.5
Recognised exceptions to the exhaustion of domestic remedies rule ........................ 23
3.3.6
Challenges and Limitations of Admissibility Criteria ............................................................ 24
ANNEXURE 3A: EXAMPLE: EXHAUSTING DOMESTIC REMEDIES BEFORE THE CEDAW
COMMITTEE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25
4.
REGIONAL MECHANISMS ...................................................... 26
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights ................................................26
4.1
4.1.1
Key Provisions Relevant to Women’s Rights ............................................................................... 26
i)
ii)
Admissibility ................................................................................................................................................. 26
Complaint Procedure ............................................................................................................................... 27
4.1.2
Decisions Relevant to Women’s Rights .......................................................................................... 27
i)
Inhuman and Degrading Treatment ................................................................................................. 27
ii) Violation of International Humanitarian Law and other International Human
Rights Treaties ........................................................................................................................................................ 28
iii) Equal Access to Justice and Protection of Law ........................................................................ 28
iv) Obligation to Investigate and Prosecute Crimes including Rape .................................... 28
v)
Extent of States’ Due Diligence Responsibility ......................................................................... 29
4.1.3
Challenges and Limitations .................................................................................................................. 30
4.2
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights ............................................................31
4.3
The Protocol on Rights of Women in Africa .........................................................................32
4.3.1
Key Provisions .............................................................................................................................................. 32
4.3.2
Using the Women’s Protocol ............................................................................................................... 32
4.4
ECOWAS Court ..................................................................................................................................33
4.4.1
Mandate and Admissibility ................................................................................................................... 33
4.4.2
Member States ............................................................................................................................................ 33
4.4.3
Substantive Ruling on Slavery............................................................................................................. 33
4.4.4
Opportunities and Challenges ............................................................................................................ 35
4.5
4.5.1
4.6
SADC Tribunal ...................................................................................................................................35
Member States ............................................................................................................................................ 36
The East African Court of Justice.............................................................................................36