The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in partnership with the University of Antwerp, Belgium, annually
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) annually
The annual Advanced Human Rights Course on Children’s Rights in Africa is currently underway. The course is hosted as a
The annual Advanced Human Rights Course (AHRC) on the African human rights system in comparative perspectives in comparative perspectives is
The Advanced Human Rights Courses (AHRC) and the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit at
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and current restrictions, all courses will be conducted in a virtual format. Participants are therefore required to have access to a stable internet connection. The Centre for Human Rights will however review the situation from time to time and will advise applicants on the resumption of contact sessions.
Applications are fully online and prospective applicants need a Gmail account to be able to apply.
Course dates: 2022
Sexual Minority Rights in Africa
21 – 25 February 2022
The Advanced Human Rights Course on Sexual Minority Rights in Africa introduces participants to basic SOGIESC concepts and a thematic and geographical exposition of challenges faced by LGBTI persons in Africa. This course is designed for people who wish to obtain basic/introductory information, an understanding of the terminology and a general appreciation of the problems faced by LGBTI persons in realising basic human rights in many societies.
Disability Rights in an African Context
7 – 11 March 2022
The Advanced Human Rights Course on Disability Rights in an African Context is part of the Centre’s efforts in promoting disability rights in Africa by raising awareness about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) (2006) and the newly adopted Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (2018).
Expression, Information and Digital Rights in Africa
28 March – 1 April
The Expression, Information and Digital Rights Advanced Human Rights Course is principally aimed at supporting the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the promotion and protection of Freedom of Expression and Access to information on the continent, as guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and further elaborated by the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa.
African Human Rights System in Comparative Perspectives
4 – 8 April2022
The course covers issues such as a general introduction to human rights law and the role players in the development and enforcement of human rights norms in Africa,
the United Nations system, human rights treaties and their status in Africa,
European human rights systems, Inter-American human rights systems,
the African Union and human rights,
the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights as well as the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.
Judicial Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights in Africa
2 – 6 May 2022
The aim of the course on the judicial enforcement of socio-economic rights in Africa is to provide participants with a critical understanding of the possibilities of and problems associated with judicial enforcement of socio-economic rights in Africa. During the one-week intensive course, training is provided to practitioners, policy-makers, scholars and students on national and international litigation of socio-economic rights.
Advanced Human Rights Course: Women's Rights in Africa
16 - 20 May 2022
The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, will host a 5-day intensive hybrid short course on women’s rights in Africa from 16 - 20 May 2022. This course is designed for governmental officials, managers and staff of civil society organisations, judges and magistrates, legal practitioners, as well as academics from universities in Africa.
Policing Lockdown: Accountability and oversight of the criminal justice system in the time of COVID-19
23 - 27 May 2022
This is a one-week course examining key issues exposed in criminal justice systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the increasing securitisation of public health enforcement, the dangers of over-reach by the criminal justice architecture, and the pressures on oversight mechanisms.
Children’s Rights in Africa
20 – 24 June 2022
The course is an initiative intended to build the technical capacity of diverse professionals working for and with children across the African continent. During the course, participants are equipped with the necessary knowledge and practical skills that will enable them to meaningfully contribute to the realisation of children’s rights in Africa.
Civil Society Law in Africa
1 – 5 August 2022
Through the Legal Education Initiative, ICNL partners with selected African educational institutions to promote the study of laws affecting civil society.
The Right to Development in Africa
15 – 19 August 2022
The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in partnership with the University of Antwerpen, will host an online one-week intensive short course on the right to development in Africa from 15 to 19 August 2022.
Policing and Vulnerability in Africa
5 – 9 September 2022
The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in partnership with African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF) and Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA), is presenting an online course on Policing and Vulnerability in Africa from 5 to 9 September 2022.
Indigenous Peoples' Rights
7 – 11 November 2022
The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will host a hybrid format one-week intensive short course on indigenous peoples’ rights from 7 to 11 November 2022.
Advanced Human Rights Courses 2022
- Sexual Minority Rights in Africa
21 – 25 February 2022 - Disability Rights in an African Context
7 – 11 March 2022 - African Human Rights System in Comparative Perspectives
14 – 18 March 2022 - Expression, Information and Digital Rights
28 March – 1 April - Judicial Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights in Africa
2 – 6 May 2022 - Women’s Rights in Africa
16 – 20 May 2022 - Policing Lockdown: Accountability and oversight of the criminal justice system in the time of COVID-19
23 -27 May 2022 - Children's Rights in Africa
20 – 24 June 2022 - Civil Society Law in Africa
1 – 5 August 2022 - Right to Development in Africa
15 – 19 August 2022 - Policing and Vulnerability in Africa
5 – 9 September 2022 - Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Africa
7 – 11 November 2022