The Protection of the Environment in Regional Human Rights Systems Outside of Europe II: The African Human Rights System

Mensah, Cocou Marius (2026) The Protection of the Environment in Regional Human Rights Systems Outside of Europe II: The African Human Rights System. In: Human Rights and Environmental Protection from a Centraland Eastern European Perspective. Human Rights – Children’s Rights; Human Rights and Rule of Law (XI; 3). Central European Academic Publishing, Miskolc, Budapest, pp. 345-372. ISBN 9786157027206; 9786157027213; 9786157027220

Preview

Text HRRL-EnvironmentalProtection-Chapter13-Mensah.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (251kB) | Preview

Abstract

The increasing recognition of environmental protection as a human right, as demonstrated by the United Nations General Assembly’s 2022 adoption of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, reflects the vital connection between environmental sustainability and the fulfilment of basic human rights. This chapter explores the role of the African human rights system in enforc-ing environment-related human rights, with particular focus on Article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, the continent suffers disproportionately from the impacts of climate change. However, landmark cases concerning environmental protection have been scarce in Africa’s regional human rights system, with national and sub-regional courts taking the lead in adjudicating environmental disputes. This research highlights the challenges and opportunities for African human rights institu-tions in addressing environmental harm and promoting the right to a healthy environment.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item