The African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, established in 2004, hears cases on the interpretation and application of the African Charter, its Protocol, and other human rights instruments. On March 7, 2025, Tunisia notified the African Union of its decision to withdraw the Article 34(6) declaration, which allowed individuals and non-governmental organizations to file cases against it before the Court. By doing so, Tunisia joins four other countries—Tanzania, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and Benin—that have revoked their Article 34(6) declaration—but what does this mean, and what are the consequences for human rights protection in Africa?

RFK Human Rights’ fact sheet, created in partnership with Committee for Justice, outlines the scope of the African Court’s legal jurisdiction, Tunisia’s history with the Court, and the implications for Tunisia’s withdrawal on human rights in the country and in Africa more broadly.