"The Handbook aims to be a practical tool for implementation, explaining and illustrating the implications of each article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and of the two Optional Protocols adopted in 2000 as well as their interconnections."--P. xvii.

The United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) constitutes a landmark in the development of international human rights law and reflects an historic turn in universal thinking about children and their rights. Many children in Africa today face the future with a deep sense of uncertainty and foreboding. Many have no hope of education and the issues of child trafficking, sexual exploitation and child labour reflect a profound crisis of the family. The current socio-economic situation has radically changed the world views and the life expectations of the African child. This book attempts to respond to some of the questions that could be asked: to what extent have the provisions of the CRC been implemented in the national legislations of African States? What effect have they had on children in Africa? What mechanisms exist to prevent and sanction rights abusers? Are children's rights in Africa reality, or simply rhetoric?

African Disability Rights Yearbook Volume 1 2013 Edited by Charles Ngwena, Ilze Grobbelaar‐du Plessis, Helene Combrinck and Serges Djoyou Kamga 2014 ISSN: 2311-8970 Pages: 385 Print version: Available Electronic version: Free PDF available About the publication The African Disability Rights Yearbook breaks new ground in disability scholarship. Coming in the wake of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is the first peer-reviewed journal to focus exclusively on disability as human rights on the African continent. It provides an annual forum for scholarly analysis on issues pertaining to the human rights of persons with disabilities. It is also a source for country-based reports as well as commentaries on recent developments in the field of disability rights in the African region. Preface This is the first issue of the African Disability Rights Yearbook (ADRY). Drawing inspiration from the European Yearbook on Disability Law, it is the first publication of its kind that focuses on Africa. It aims to bring into prominence an area traditionally neglected by both African governments and academics. Following in the wake of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is the first peer-reviewed journal to focus exclusively on disability as human rights on the African continent. The Yearbook, which is projected to appear annually, is set out in three sections. Section A contains academic articles: Section B consists of country-based research, charting recent developments on disability rights legislation, case law and policy developments in selected African states; and Section C deals with relevant developments in the African Union (AU) and African sub-regional organisations. The 2013 Yearbook aims to set out the situation as at 31 December 2012. The publication of the Yearbook in 2013 is a milestone in the engagement on the rights of persons with disabilities by the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, under whose auspices this publication was conceived and is being produced. It marks a highlight in the efforts taken by the Centre over the last few years to bring more academic attention to the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. These efforts have only been possible with the support of the Open Society foundations, in particular, Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). Over the last years, OSISA has collaborated with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, to strengthen the teaching and research in law faculties in the Southern Africa on disability rights. The collaboration consists of the following elements: (a) Efforts are made to assist in the building of capacity of law faculties in the region, through the attendance of the LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa) with a focus on disability rights by staff members from these law faculties, The staff members subsequently return to their faculties, institute and develop teaching on disability rights, and institutionalise faculty-based activities and ‘centres’ around disability rights. So far, the following faculties have participated: Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique (Faculdade de Direito); the University of Botswana; the University of Malawi (Chancellor College, Faculty of Law); University of Namibia; Midlands State University, Zimbabwe (Faculty of Law); University of Zambia; and University of Dodoma (Tanzania); University of Namibia. These faculties/centres have the responsibility/mandate to research on disability rights; promote awareness and sensitise key stakeholders in the population about the rights of persons with disabilities and the existing legal framework; elaborate position papers and advocate for particular legal reforms; keep record of/identify and engage in litigation of selected cases pertaining to the violation of the rights of persons with disabilities; and provide legal advice to persons with disabilities. (b) The Centre presents a one-week intensive short course on disability rights to build capacity and to disseminate information on disability rights more broadly in Africa. This course is attended by participants from all over the continent. (c) Together, the participating faculties are developing a curriculum for the teaching of an undergraduate course on disability rights at law schools in the region. (d) Academic work on and awareness about disability rights is stimulated, in particular, through the publication of this Yearbook, an academic conference, and a first Southern African Disability Rights Moot Court Competition. This Yearbook is the accomplishment of many. It has been a project long in planning and preparation, and time consuming in execution. The publication is the endproduct of collaborations between the Centre and numerous partners, in particular (UWC). A very sincere and profound word of thanks goes to the following: The four editors: the convening editor, Prof Charles Ngwena, who joined the Centre for Human Rights last year; he worked with Dr Ilze Grobbelaar-Du Plessis (UP); Prof Helene Combrinck (UWC) and Dr Serges Djoyou Kamga (UNISA) as co-editors. It is only their dedication and devotion that has made this publication possible. Prof Ngwena was not only the convening editor, but also the editor in charge of Part A. He bore the brunt of the responsibility to keep the project going, and to inspire and lead all involved towards the ever-approaching deadline. Drs Grobbelaar-Du Plessis and Serges Djoyou Kamga took responsibility for Part B, and Prof Combrinck for Part C. They each sacrificed enormously in terms of time and energy, in order to get to this end product. Thanks to all contributors, and all reviewers of contributions, for dedicating themselves to this thankless task. Kate Painting acted as a most appreciated editorial assistant. She meticuoulsy followed up references, guaranteed consistency in style, and ensured felicitous language use. At the Centre, Thuto Moratuoa Hlalele, Yolanda Booyzen and Kevashinee Pillay also provided logistical and other support. The Yearbook is published by Pretoria University Law Press (PULP), based at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria. The patient and professional contribution of Lizette Hermann is much appreciated. We also thank the members of the advisory board, who agreed to assist with the policy direction, review of manuscripts and lending credibility and lustre to this Yearbook by associating themselves with this endeavour. The Yearbook is very fortunate to have representation from all corners of the globe, including individuals and institutions at the leading edge of disability rights research, training and teaching. Lastly, to the Open Society Foundation – and specifically OSISA – and its staff: Many thanks in particular to Louise Olivier, for her confidence, inspiration and consistent support, which took the Centre and me personally along an exciting and challenging new road; and to Louise Ehlers and Patricia Mwanyisa, who came on board later. Other Open Society staff also inspired and played important roles along the way. In line with the right of access to information and knowledge, this Yearbook is accessible freely as a free full downloadable document on the Centre’s website www.chr.up.ac.za On behalf of all those involved, and of the Centre, I wish to express the hope that this Yearbook will soon come to be regarded as an indispensable tool to understand and chart legislative and policy developments on disability rights in Africa, and that it will contribute to bridge the gap between the discourse of rights and its practical application and actual realisation. Frans Viljoen Director, Centre for Human Rights About the editors: Charles Ngwena is Professor, Department of Constitutional Law and Legal Philosophy, Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, South Africa. Ilze Grobbelaar‐du Plessis is a senior lecturer and holds the degrees BIuris LLB LLM LLD from the University of Pretoria. Helene Combrinck is Associate Professor at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, University of the Western Cape. Serges Djoyou Kamgais is Senior Lecturer at TMALI (UNISA). Table of Contents PREFACE EDITORIAL SECTION A: ARTICLES 1. The right to primary education of children with disabilities in Malawi: A diagnosis of the conceptual approach and implementation Enoch MacDonnell Chilemba 2. Forgotten or included? Disabled children’s access to primary education in Cameroon Serges Djoyou Kamga 3. Choice, support and inclusion: Implementing article 19 of the CRPD in Kenya Elizabeth Kamundia 4. A critical analysis of the legal and institutional frameworks for the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe Esau Mandipa 5. Prospects and practices for CRPD implementation in Africa Janet Lord and Michael Ashley Stein 6. ‘Nothing about CRPD monitoring without us’: A case study on the involvement of the disability movement in policy-making in Zambia Magdolna Birtha 7. Western Cape Forum For Intellectual Disability v Government of the Republic of South Africa: A case study of contradictions in inclusive education Charles Ngwena 8. Towards an effective litigation strategy of disability rights: The Zambian experience Likando Kalaluka SECTION B: COUNTRY REPORTS Cameroon Maître Christophe Tchudjo and Joseph Ombe Côte d’Ivoire Pierre Olivier Lobe Ghana Esther A Gyamfi Mozambique Emerson Casimiro Uassuzo Lopes Namibia Ruusa Ntinda Nigeria Ngozi C Umeh and Ramola Adeola Republique Democratique du Congo (RDC) Pierre Olivier Lobe South Africa Ilze Grobbelaar-du Plessis and Chazanne Grobler Tanzania Peter Josiah Shughuru SECTION C: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS Disability rights in the African regional human rights system during 2011 and 2012 Helene Combrinck Making progress: The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the rights of children with disabilities Lorenzo Wakefield Disability rights in the sub-regional economic communities during 2011 and 2012 Lucyline N Murungi, Aquinaldo Mandlate and Benedicta Armah

Children of almost any age can break the law, but at what age should children first face the possibility of criminal responsibility for their alleged crimes? This work is the first global analysis of national minimum ages of criminal responsibility (MACRs), the international legal obligations that surround them, and the principal considerations for establishing and implementing respective age limits. Taking an international children's rights approach, with a rich theoretical framework and the vitality of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this work maintains a critical perspective, such as in challenging the assumptions of many children's rights scholars and advocates. Compiling the age limits and statutory sources for all countries, this book explains the broad historical origins behind most of them, identifying the recurring practical challenges that affect every country and providing the first comprehensive evidence that a general principle of international law requires all nations, regardless of their treaty ratifications, to establish respective minimum age limits.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 is one of the most highly ratified human rights treaties in the world, with 192 states currently signed up to it. Article Twelve is fundamental to the Convention and states that all children capable of forming views have the right to express those views, and recognises that all children have the right to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting them. This book explores the historical and theoretical background to Article Twelve, and examines the various models of participation which have been created to facilitate a better understanding of this provision. Aisling Parkes analyzes the extent to which Article Twelve has been implemented under international law, and in domestic law, as well as setting-out recommendations for the most effective ways of implementing Article Twelve in all areas of children’s lives.