The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the continental body for lawyers and lawyers’ association, sought an Advisory Opinion at the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights 3rd June 2020 to advise African states on how to properly carry out free and fair elections and upholding fundamentals rights of it’s citizens.
PALU which has a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union is able to bring matters before the African Court. The Advisory Opinion was brought forth from increased abuse of democracy and the rule of law among African states especially during these times of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In a year in which the pandemic has affected over 22 elections, leading to many being postponed without clear rules. PALU noted that “AU member states have, for the most part, taken measures with the practical effect of restricting certain rights such as the freedoms of movement, assembly, association and information, as well as the right of citizens to participate effectively in the conduct of public affairs of their various countries, especially through regular, free and fair elections.
Advisory Opinion [Click to Read More]