The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is hearing cases challenging the domestic laws and legal directives in Kenya and Tanzania that are deemed injurious to the fundamental rights of citizens. Tanzania’s directive on compulsory pregnancy tests for schoolgirls and the disbarment of Kenyan Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi from the Supreme Court of Kenya are before the regional court, which is expected to pronounce itself on laws passed by East African Community (EAC) partner States deemed to contravene universal human rights. He argues that the decision by the Supreme Court violated his rights to fair administrative action, access to justice and a fair trial. Despite the laws being in contradiction with universal human rights requirements, lawyers argue Tanzania continues to apply them because they have yet to be expunged from the statutes. The NGO wants the court to compel the government of Tanzania to focus on addressing the issue of teenage pregnancies through public education and awareness on sexual and reproductive health rights.

Source: Daily Nation October 11, 2024 12:16 UTC