Improving the conditions of arrest across Africa

In 2012 , the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) raised its concern about the “abusive recourse to police custody and pre-trail detention prevalent in several states parties to the African Charter characterized by weak criminal justice system”.

In order to improve the protection of human rights, the Commission in collaboration with a wide variety of stakeholders and support from the Institute developed the Luanda guidelines, which were officially launched on 25 April 2015.

Training of police officers based on the guidelines

Today the African guidelines are being used for trainings, for monitoring places of detention and in relation to the collection and dissemination of statistical data on arrest and persons in police custody, by some NGOs, NHRIs and police services in Africa. For instance, in Ghana, Tanzania and Mali police officers and prisons services have received training on the guidelines. Read more.

ACHPR recommends states to implement the guidelines

In order to better promote and protect the right to liberty and security, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights recommends that state parties implement the Luanda guidelines. For instance, following the examination of Mauritius’ state report, the ACHPR recommends that the states develop training manuals for law enforcement officers which specifically includes the Luanda Guidelines.

Accessible in Swahili

In 2017 the African Pre-Trial Detention, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the African Commission for Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) among others launched a Swahili version of the guidelines.

The same year the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions General Assembly adopted the date of the official launch of the Luanda Guidelines as the African Pre-trial detention Day.