STATE PARTY REPORTING GUIDELINES FOR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND
CULTURAL RIGHTS IN THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND
PEOPLES’ RIGHTS
(TUNIS REPORTING GUIDELINES)
Introduction
1. These reporting guidelines are adopted to give further guidance to states
parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) in
reporting, pursuant to article 62 of the Charter, on the implementation of
their obligations to realise the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural
rights under the Charter. These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with
the 1989 Guidelines for National Periodic Reports under the African Charter.
Further reference should be made to the Principles and Guidelines on the
implementation of economic, social and cultural rights in the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights, adopted on 26 may 2010 (Principles and
Guidelines) which give a more detailed explanation of States Parties
obligations under the Charter.
General Contents of State Reports on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
2. In relation to the economic, social and cultural rights detailed below the
State party report should indicate:
a) Whether the State party has adopted a national framework law, policies and
strategies for the implementation of each right, identifying the resources
available for that purpose and the most cost-effective ways of using such
resources (please note that a recitation of legislative steps without an
indication of policies and implementation will be regarded as insufficient
measures towards the realisation of the protected rights);
b) Any mechanisms in place to monitor progress towards the full realization of
the rights, including identification of indicators and related national
benchmarks in relation to each right;
c) The incorporation and direct applicability of each right in the domestic legal
order, with reference to specific examples of relevant case law;
d) The judicial and other appropriate remedies in place enabling victims to
obtain redress in cases where their rights have been violated; and
e) Structural or other significant obstacles arising from factors beyond the State
party’s control which impede the full realization of the rights guaranteed in
the Charter.
3. Provide statistics on the enjoyment of each right, disaggregated by age,
gender, ethnic origin, urban/rural population and other relevant status,
particularly with reference to groups identified as vulnerable or marginalised
in the Principles and Guidelines, on an annual comparative basis over the
past five years.
4. Provide information on steps taken to make the reporting process as
transparent and accountable as possible, particularly regarding how the
process was publicised and which members of civil society were involved in
drafting the report.
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