The Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the African Regional Human Rights System: Theory, Practice and Prospect

The judicial and quasi-judicial enforceability of economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights has long been disputed based on some flawed characterizations of the rights and concerns about the role of adjudication in addressing issues of socio-economic development. Underscoring the generally poor socio-economic conditions in most African states, this book argues that the justiciability of ESC rights in the African regional human rights system plays a subsidiary role in ensuring social justice and the accountability of public authorities in the states of the continent. The book marries theory and practice relating to the normative, institutional, and procedural aspects of the justiciability of ESC rights. It explores the actual and potential relevance of the African human rights system to the amelioration of impoverishment, disease, illiteracy, homelessness, starvation, marginalization, and other related problems that may be framed in terms of violations of ESC rights.