The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was adopted in 1981 in Nairobi as part of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which has now become the African Union (AU). It entered into force on October 28, 1986.

Download the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Countries having ratified or adhered to the Charter:

• South Africa: July 9, 1996
• Algeria: March 1, 1987
• Angola: March 2, 1990
• Benin: January 20, 1986
• Botswana: July 17, 1986
• Burkina Faso: July 6, 1984
• Burundi: July 28, 1989
• Cameroon: June 20, 1989
• Cape Verde: June 2, 1987
• Comoros: June 1, 1986
• Central African Republic: April 26, 1986
• Republic of the Congo: December 9, 1982
• Ivory Coast: January 6, 1992
• Djibouti: November 11, 1991
• Egypt: March 20, 1984
• Eritrea: January 14, 1999
• Ethiopia: June 15, 1998
• Gabon: February 20, 1986
• Gambia: June 8, 1983
• Ghana: January 24, 1989
• Guinea: February 16, 1982
• Guinea-Bissau: December 4, 1985
• Equatorial Guinea: April 7, 1986
• Kenya: January 23, 1992
• Lesotho: February 10, 1992
• Liberia: August 4, 1982
• Libya (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya): July 19, 1986
• Madagascar: March 9, 1992
• Malawi: November 17, 1989
• Mali: December 21, 1981
• Mauritius: June 19, 1992
• Mauritania: June 14, 1986
• Mozambique: February 22, 1989
• Namibia: July 30, 1992
• Niger: July 15, 1986
• Nigeria: June 22, 1983
• Uganda: May 10, 1986
• Rwanda: July 15, 1983
• Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic: May 2, 1986
• Sao Tome and Principe: May 23, 1986
• Senegal: law no 82-04 of June 15, 1982
• Seychelles: April 13, 1992
• Sierra Leone: September 21, 1983
• Somalia: July 31, 1985
• Sudan: February 18, 1986
• South Sudan: October 23, 2013
• Tanzania: February 18, 1984
• Chad: October 9, 1986
• Togo: November 5, 1982
• Tunisia: March 16, 1983
• Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo): July 20, 1987
• Zambia: January 10, 1984
• Zimbabwe: May 30, 1986