Abstract

In 2013, the Special Rapporteur initiated a study into the incidence of unlawful killings in Africa, designed to guide his future activity, both in terms of thematic reporting, country-visits, and the search for actionable entry-points. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the right to life is severely threatened on the African continent, however very little systematic information is available to support this contention. Efforts to curb the loss of life are often ad hoc and those with the potential or mandate to make a difference sometime lack a clear picture from which to determine priorities.

CGHR convened an interdisciplinary Research Team from across the University to conduct a broad review of the extent of unlawful killings in Africa. The team collated information from news and NGO reporting, as well as examining structural and societal causes of such killings. The objective was to provide an overview of the state of the right to life on the continent and a guide to those working in the field.

The findings of this Research Team will now be launched as a CGHR publication, entitled Unlawful Killings in Africa. This study will include separate chapters on different forms of unlawful killing, including excessive use of force, election-related violence, mob-justice, and armed conflict. The Special Rapporteur will give a key-note address highlighting the importance of the subject for the future direction of his work and drawing on specific examples. The session will offer an opportunity for those working either on issues of violence from a thematic perspective, or those working specifically on Africa to exchange views with a practitioner leading the drive to put the right to life higher on the global agenda.