The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights is one of the main legal regional bodies through which the CRPD is enforced through the human rights perspective.

Article 18 (4) of the African Charter recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs. This charter has been ratified by 54 of the 55 member states of the African Union. 

In line with the African Union’s work towards an inclusive society, ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are adequately promoted and protected, the commission established a Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa. In addition, a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (The African Disability Protocol) has been adopted since 2018 in order to reinforce the CRPD implementation in Africa. This however will only come into effect after it has been ratified by at least 15 member states of the and so far just 3 member states have ratified this. 

2018 – Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa 

1981 – African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Africa also had two continental plans of action for the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 1999-2009 and 2010-2019.

The EU’s external work is mainly led by the European Commission (DG International partnerships) and the European External Action Service (EEAS). A formal Africa-EU partnership was formerly established in 2000 at the first Africa-EU Summit in Cairo and the vision for this partnership is outlined in the 2020 Joint Communication ‘Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa’.  

EDF keeps a close eye on the Human Rights Dialogues, which are organised by the EU in partner countries. These dialogues are a key vehicle for the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy   

The EU Action Plan is important for EDF as it is inclusive of the CRPD and persons with disabilities. We are therefore trying to encourage DPOs to take part in these Human Rights Dialogues and influence the EU to implement the CRPD in its work in humanitarian action and international cooperation. 

For example, in January 2024, EDF and ADF collaborated in the preparation for an upcoming Human Rights Dialogue between the European Union and the African Union. We actively participated by submitting written input to the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the situation of persons with disabilities across the continent. 

For more information about the work of the EU in Africa at the regional and national levels, check out the list of EU delegations in Africa.

In December 2022, Phillipa Tucker, EDF Central and Eastern Europe Coordinator, visited Abuja, Nigeria, to meet with disability rights group and the EU Delegation in Abuja.
Read her blog for more details about the visit

List of policies and laws in various African countries