Groups and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

This article examines the position of groups under the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights. The Charter does not contain a "minorities article" similar to that of Article 27, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It does, though, contain a substantive section on "peoples rights." The work examines the way in which the African Commission has interpreted human rights to non-discrimination, to take part in the cultural life of the community, freedom of religion and freedom of expression to ensure, to a limited extent, a right of cultural security for minority groups. Further, the section relating to peoples rights has been used by the African Commission to consider such issues as economic exploitation, environmental concerns, the exclusion and domination of one ethno-cultural group by another and claims for autonomy and secession.