About the publication The African Union chose 2016 as the African Year of Human Rights, commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the entry into force — on 21 October 1986 — of the founding document of the African Human Rights System: the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This commemorative book brings together six basic documents setting out the gradual evolution of the African human rights system. Two normative instruments are contained in this publication in pocket format, in addition to the African Charter: the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The two main institutions of the system are the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Protocol establishing the African Court and the Rules of Procedure of the African Commission and the African Court are also included. Table of Contents African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child Protocol on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Rules of Procedure of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights