last updated August 3, 2006

International Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Ratified on 22 September 2004 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 22 December 2004.

Optional Protocol to the ICCPR: Signed only on 22 September 2004.

Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR: Acceded to on 16 September 2005 with no reservations, declarations or understandings.  Entered into force on 16 December 2005.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): Ratified on 22 September 2004 with no reservations, declarations, or understandings. Entered into force on 22 December 2004. 

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW): Acceded to on 17 July 1984 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 16 August 1984.   

Optional Protocol to CEDAW: Signed only on 22 September 2004.

Convention on the Elimination of All Form of Racial Discrimination (CERD): Acceded to on 5 November 1976 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 5 December 1976.

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): Ratified on 4 June 1993 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 4 July 1993.

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OP-CRC-AC): Signed only on 22 September 2004.

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Righs of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Protitution and Child Pornography (OP-CRC-SC): Signed only on 22 September 2004.

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Punishment (CAT): Acceded to on 22 September 2004 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 22 October 2004.

Optional Protocol to the CAT: Acceded to on 22 September 2004 with no reservations, declarations, or understandings.  Entered into force on 22 June 2006. 

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW): Signed only on 22 September 2004.

Convention on the Status of Refugees: Acceded to on 15 October 1964 with declaration in accordance with Article I Section B. Entered into force 13 January 1965.  

Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees: Acceded to on 27 February 1980 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 27 February 1980.

Convention on Transnational Organized Crime: Acceded to on 22 September 2004 with no reservations, declarations or understandings.  Entered into force on 22 October 2004.  

Convention regarding Forced or Compulsory Labor (ILO C29): Ratified on 1 May 1931.

Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor (ILO C182): Ratified on 2 June 2003.

Regional Instruments

African (Banjul) Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights: Ratified on 4 August 1982 and deposited on 29 December 1982.

Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa: Signed only on 16 December 2003.

African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: Signed only on 14 May 1992.

African Convention Preventing and Combating Corruption: Signed only on 16 December 2003.

Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union: Signed only on 9 July 2002. 

Protocol of the Court of Justice of the African Union: Signed only on 16 December 2003.

OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of the Refugee Problem in Africa: Signed on 10 September 1969, Ratified on 1 October 1981, Deposited on 7 February 1972.

The African Union Non-Aggression and Common Defense Pact: No action taken.

Humanitarian Law Instruments

Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War: Ratified on 29 March 1954. Entered into force on 29 September 1954.

Protocol Additional of the Geneva Convention Relating to the Protection of Victims in Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I):  Ratified on 30 June 1988 with no reservations, declarations or understandings. Entered into force on 30 December 1988.

Protocol Additional relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II): Ratified on 30 June 1988.  Entered into force on 30 December 1988.             

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court: Ratified on 22 September 2004.