Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim Leads Parliament’s Deliberations on AU Human Rights Protocols and UPR Obligations

The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has commenced a multi-day engagement on Day One to consider referred African Union Human Rights Protocols and to undergo training on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.

Chairperson of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, said the exercise will see Members deliberate on key human rights issues over the next few days.

According to Hon. Anim, the agenda includes the consideration of Protocols to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Ghana's obligations under the UPR, and Parliament’s critical role in advancing UPR recommendations.

Hon. Anim explained that the Committee’s review will centre on two key Protocols under the African Charter.

The first is the *Protocol on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 1998*. The Court complements the African Commission and has the mandate to hear cases of human rights violations and issue binding judgments. Ghana ratified this Protocol in 2005.

The second is the *Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, 2003*, popularly known as the *Maputo Protocol*. It strengthens protections for women by addressing issues such as the prohibition of FGM, setting the minimum marriage age, political participation, protection from gender-based violence, reproductive health rights, and property rights. Ghana ratified the Maputo Protocol in 2007.

The Kumawu MP noted that the deliberations will assess how well Ghana’s domestic laws, policies and budgetary allocations align with these AU commitments.

On the Universal Periodic Review, Hon. Anim said Members will be trained on Ghana’s reporting responsibilities to the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR requires all UN member states to submit to a review of their human rights records every 4-5 years, with recommendations that must be implemented or accounted for.

He stressed that Parliament has a “critical role” in monitoring government’s implementation of accepted UPR recommendations and ensuring that gaps are addressed through legislation and oversight.

“The engagement, he noted, is expected to deepen Parliament’s oversight and legislative input on Ghana’s human rights commitments both at the AU and UN levels,” Hon. Anim stated.

He added that by considering these protocols and UPR mechanisms, the Committee aims to strengthen accountability, close implementation gaps, and ensure that Ghana continues to uphold its human rights obligations for all citizens.