The Approach to Implementation of the Kilwa Decision: Communication 393/ 10–IHRDA and Others v. DRC (2016)

Abstract

Abstract States are required to implement decisions adopted by human rights treaty bodies, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights being one of them. Although the responsibility to implement lies with the state, treaty mechanisms play an important role in ensuring compliance with their decisions. The African Commission does not have an institutionalized mechanism tasked with implementation. It does however use other means such as promotion visits and the consideration of state reports to follow up on implementation of its decisions. This practice note recalls the approaches that the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and its partners have used and plan to use to follow up on implementation of the Kilwa decision. After a brief background on the case, this note assesses the content of the Kilwa decision, and outlines the road map for implementation. The note concludes with a look at the impact expected from the implementation of the Kilwa decision.