Victim or witness
Our safety advice for victims and witnesses.
African Center for Justice Rights
For an Africa where justice, the rule of law and human dignity are effectively protected
Our mission: to document serious human-rights violations, support victims and bring documented facts before the competent African and international courts and mechanisms.
- 2024Founded in Paris
- 1901 lawNon-profit association
- 6Areas of work
- Africaand the international stage
Where to start
Three ways in, depending on what brings you here.
Lawyer, researcher or organisation
How ACJR intends to build alliances and networks with organisations that pursue compatible aims.
Join the association
Members, volunteers and partners: the arrangements set out in our statutes.
Our mission
Establish the facts, defend rights, demand accountability
ACJR is an independent human-rights association. It works to ensure that violations committed in Africa are rigorously documented, that those responsible are held to account, and that victims obtain truth, justice and reparation.
It acts in accordance with international law, impartially, and with the safety and dignity of the people concerned at the heart of its work.
To contribute to an Africa in which justice, the rule of law, human dignity and fundamental freedoms are effectively protected.
Our areas of work
Six objectives, set out in Article 6 of our statutes, shape our work.
- Statutes, Art. 6.1
Monitoring and documenting violations
Monitor and document serious violations, and promote the Istanbul and Minnesota Protocols.
- Statutes, Art. 6.2
Legal analysis and strategic litigation
Prepare analysis, case files and legal briefs in support of justice mechanisms.
- Statutes, Art. 6.3
Transitional justice
Support truth-seeking, accountability, reparation and institutional reform.
- Statutes, Art. 6.4
Protecting human-rights defenders
Legal protection and advocacy for defenders, lawyers, journalists and people who report violations.
- Statutes, Art. 6.5
Protecting vulnerable groups
Defend women, children, refugees, displaced people and minorities.
- Statutes, Art. 6.6
Research and training
Produce and share research, and train human-rights actors.
How we work
From establishing the facts to international bodies: a rigorous method.
Document
Monitor and document violations using verifiable methods and international standards.
Analyse
Assess the facts under international and regional law.
Advocate
Where possible and in line with their rules, bring the facts before UN and African mechanisms and competent courts.
Support
Stand with victims, witnesses and human-rights defenders, putting their safety first.
Non-negotiable principles
Article 4 of our statutes sets out five principles for our human-rights work.
Our principlesIndependence
ACJR works fully independently of governments, political parties, religious organisations and financial interests.
Universality and indivisibility of rights
All human rights are treated as interdependent and indivisible.
Impartiality and documentary rigour
Monitoring, documentation and analysis rest on verifiable methods, reliable evidence and respect for applicable standards.
Non-discrimination
ACJR acts for every person without distinction, in particular of origin, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, or national or social origin.
A victim-centred approach
The safety, dignity, consent, access to remedy and reparation of victims and witnesses are essential considerations.
Advocacy
Seeking a voice before international mechanisms
- Human Rights Council
- Universal Periodic Review
- Special procedures
- Treaty bodies
- African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Where it is permitted to take part and in line with their rules, ACJR aims to take documented facts where they can make a difference.
ACJR is an independent organisation. It does not currently hold consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is not accredited to any UN or African Union body. Any engagement with these mechanisms implies no affiliation with, or endorsement by, them.
Learn more — AdvocacyGet involved
Lawyers, researchers, journalists, translators or concerned citizens: join a volunteer association committed to justice.