The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in human rights promotion : a case study of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Abstract

The employment of ICT tools as a weapon of choice at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, an organ established within the African Union with a broad mandate of spearheading human rights promotion on the African Continent has not been emphasised as a crucial element in the struggle towards achieving human rights promotion and protection on the African continent, with the resulting consequence that the Commission is not as visible and known to the people that it is supposed to serve. It is in this regard that this thesis was undertaken with an aim of examining the effects of employing alternative new media communication strategies as well other tools and approaches as a means of re-inventing its methods and approaches and show how this strategy, or the lack of it, could make or break an institution. It is hoped that the thesis will contribute in increasing the profile of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the public image and eventually lead to embracing ICTs as a driving force in Africa's human rights' safeguards.