PAN AFRICAN LAWYERS' UNION MISSION STATEMENT

1- INTRODUCTION

The Creation of the Organisation of African Unity at the dawn of the Independence of African nations brought with it new hope to Pan- Africanists that Africa was now firmly set into the direction of union at the continental level. This union was the means of strengthening the new found political independence, encouraging economic cooperation and development and combating neo-colonialism. The focus was on a socio- economic and political process where the civil society was shut out.
African professional bodies became mere onlookers. When important legal instruments were drawn up such as, The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, African legal practitioners as a body played no part in it.
Africa's Legal Practitioners still spurred on by their spirit of Pan Africanism grouped themselves in professional associations. These associations reflected their immediate colonial past, and so two main associations emerged. The African Bar Association, grouping English Speaking or Common Law Bars and the l'Union InterAfricain des Avocats for French speaking Lawyers and Lawyers of the Civil Law nations.
The absence of the African Legal Practitioner whose calibre has been many times acclaimed in situations where they should be at the forefront is becoming more and more questionable if not out rightly worrying. Durban on racism, debates on the creation of an African Human Rights Court, the creation of a transnational judiciary in the absence of a transnational Bar, all facts that have caused one to come to a simple conclusion that, a Pan African Lawyers' Union free from the shackles of the colonial past is an idea whose time has come.
Globalization and other forces of integration both worldwide and on the African continent needs the presence of a strong Pan African Lawyers' Union speaking with one voice and free from the shackles of colonialism and neo-colonialism. African Lawyers need to speak with the voice through an association that will act as an interface with national regional and professional associations.

The birth of the African Union gives an added impetus to the creation of the Pan African Lawyers' Union. Such an African Union must necessarily be based on the Rule of Law and therefore work for the prosperity, freedom and development of the African Peoples. Such a society or Union cannot be built without the active participation of Africa's civil society. The Pan African Lawyers' Union must therefore recognize that it has a mission and an important part to play in the evolution of the African Union and in the social and economic development of Africa. Such must be its vision.


2- VISION

A strong Pan African Lawyers' Union speaking with one voice free from the shackles of colonialism and neo colonialism on the rule of law, freedom and development of African Peoples.
The re-establishment of Democratic rule and the Rule of Law in many African countries and the empowerment of the Civil Society has now made necessary the rebirth of a truly Pan African Legal Forum.
To promote the rule of law, freedom and development of African Peoples through one voice.


3- OBJECTIVES

a) To create a strong and dynamic union of all legal practitioners in the continent in order to contribute directly to the social, political and economic development as well as the achievement of greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa.
b) To promote and foster mutual support in social and professional relationships through continued exchange of ideas among the Bar Associations and law societies in the African continent.
c) To support and work for the improvement of the administration of Justice in Africa by defending the independence of the Judiciary and judges, the independence of Lawyers, Bar Associations and law Societies, and by promoting the development and Advancement of the science of law through University institutions.
d) To create a greater awareness and respect for the Rule of Law and fundamental Human Rights, the promotion of legal reforms and harmonization of laws, and the promotion of good governance on the African continent. e) To develop and improve effective systems for the defence of Human dignity and Human Rights on the continent, and provide effective systems of legal aid and Legal services to the public.
f) To promote cooperation with other similar international organizations and to develop and carryout joint programmes and projects with them.
g) To work for the progress and strengthening of the African Union under the Rule of Law.
For Africa to assert its claim to the 21st century, African Lawyers must be at the forefront of the civil society in the quest for human, social, political and economic development in the interest of the welfare of the African Peoples.
This is the mission that a reborn Pan-African Lawyers Association must assign to itself. Its members must be determined to overcome the hurdles of distance, costs and language to guarantee its success.

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