Pretoria University Law Press (PULP)

PULP is an open-access publisher based at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are pleased to announce the call for articles for the Second Edition of the African Human Rights Yearbook (AHRY). The First Edition, which was published at the end of 2017, comprised 17 articles. This joint publication, which contains contributions in English and French, is initiated in the framework of the complementarity relationships between the three institutions. We are inviting abstracts for papers and case discussions that will propose groundbreaking academic contributions to the human rights discourse in Africa.

Background to the Yearbook

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are pleased to announce the call for articles for the Second Edition of the African Human Rights Yearbook (AHRY). The First Edition, which was published at the end of 2017, comprised 17 articles. This joint publication, which contains contributions in English and French, is initiated in the framework of the complementarity relationships between the three institutions.

Contributions invited

We are inviting abstracts for papers and case discussions that will propose groundbreaking academic contributions to the human rights discourse in Africa. Although the contributions are expected to take a continental approach to the issues they cover, country or sub-regional level case studies that are designed in the light of the overall African human rights system will also be of great relevance. In so far as methodology is concerned, papers adopting multidisciplinary and empirical approaches are highly encouraged. Submissions in three categories are invited.

A. Articles focused on aspects of the African human rights system/ African Union human rights standards

In this section, the call is for articles about the African human rights system or African Union human rights standards, including domestic application and interpretation.

B. Articles related to the theme of the Year 2018: Fighting Corruption 

We invite articles that focus on the African Union’s theme of the year, which is “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.” Aspiration 3 of the African Union Agenda 2063 recognizes that corruption undermines the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law. The call for the theme of the year is for articles on assessing progress being made thus far and proposing progressive approaches to an improved achievement of Aspiration 3.

C. Case Commentaries

In view of the need to capitalize on the growing jurisprudence of the three organs, this new section of the Yearbook aims to garner critical propositions to improve case law. Commentaries may be on a single decision, or on the case law of one of the three organs, separately, or provide perspectives on the case law of the three organs, jointly (cross cutting jurisprudential issues, complementarity).

Submission of abstracts and timetable

Abstracts of no more than 600 words must be submitted together with a short résumé of the author and should include the title, a short description of the topic to be addressed, the methodological approach taken, and a brief overview of the issues to be explored.

Abstracts should be submitted before or by 30 April 2018 as email attachments to:

  • Thomas White This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
  • copying Dr Robert Eno, Registrar of the African Court This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and
  • copying Dr Horace Adjolohoun, Principal Legal Officer at the African Court This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Any questions on this call for papers should be directed to the addresses given above.

The selection panel will consider the proposals and inform only the selected authors before or by 15 May 2018. On acceptance of a proposal by the selection panel, the author will be invited to submit a full draft paper together with an abstract of 200 words by 15 August 2018. Upon review, the authors will receive comments, which they will be expected to incorporate and return the final paper by 15 October 2018.

Finally accepted papers will be published in the second volume of the Yearbook, which is expected to appear in November 2018.

Submission guidelines

  • The submission must be original and not have already been published or submitted elsewhere.
  • Articles should be between 8 000 and 10 000 words (including footnotes) in length.
  • Case comments should be between 5 000 and 8 000 words (including footnotes) in length and include web links to cases cited.
  • Contributions may be submitted in English or French; and should be edited for language before submission.
  • Use UK English for papers submitted in English.
  • Please, adhere to the Pretoria University Law Press (PULP) style guidelines, http://www.pulp.up.ac.za/images/files/publish_with_pulp/PULP_STYLE_GUIDELINES.pdf

Remuneration

Contributions to the African Human Rights Yearbook are not remunerated. However, in recognition of their intellectual work and the value it adds to the Yearbook, authors of finally accepted papers will be added to a database of thematic experts of the African Court, the African Commission, and the Children’s Committee. In addition, they will be involved in various relevant activities and events organized by the three institutions either separately or jointly.

 

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