Our principles
Five principles, set by our statutes, frame everything we do.
Legal framework
Our work rests on international human-rights law, humanitarian law and international criminal law.
The preamble to our statutes places ACJR’s work within international law. The association seeks to contribute to criminal justice, the fight against impunity, transitional justice and the strengthening of the rule of law on the African continent.
Instruments cited in the preamble
- 1945 Charter of the United Nations The purposes and principles that inspire the association. (external site)
- 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights The universal foundation of human rights. (external site)
- 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Right to life, prohibition of torture, fair trial, fundamental freedoms. (external site)
- 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Rights to work, health, education and an adequate standard of living. (external site)
- 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights The cornerstone of the African human-rights system. (external site)
- 1949 · 1977 · 2005 Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and Additional Protocols Protection of people in armed conflict. (external site)
- 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, the crime of aggression. (external site)
- 1984 Convention against Torture Absolute prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. (external site)
- 2006 International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Prohibition of enforced disappearance and the right to truth. (external site)
- 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders The right to promote and protect human rights. (external site)
Documentation standards
Istanbul Protocol
Manual on the effective investigation and documentation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Minnesota Protocol
Protocol on the investigation of potentially unlawful death.
Our status under French law
ACJR is a non-profit association governed by the French law of 1 July 1901 and the decree of 16 August 1901, with an African and international mission. It is based in Paris and has no fixed term.
It works in France, in Africa and internationally.