The University of Lome in Togo will host a two-day international colloquium from October 29-30, 2026, on regional human rights jurisdictions, sovereignty of states, and constitutional changes. The event, organized by the Center for Public Law (CDP), brings together renowned academics, constitutionalists, and public law specialists from several African and European countries. The colloquium aims to foster debate on the evolution of constitutionalism and jurisdictional mechanisms for protecting fundamental rights.
The colloquium's theme, "Regional human rights jurisdictions between guarantee of the rule of law, control of constitutional changes, and sovereignty of states," reflects the complex relationships between these concepts. Participants will discuss the effectiveness of constitutional guarantees, jurisdictional protection of fundamental freedoms, and the limits of supranational jurisdictions' intervention in matters traditionally under national sovereignty. The event features a prestigious lineup of academics and public law specialists, including former University of Lome President Dodzi Komla KOKOROKO and current President Kossivi HOUNAKE.
The colloquium boasts an impressive list of participants, including Professors Joseph Junior KODJO, Augustin LOADA, Alain Franklin ONDOUA, and Adama KPODAR, among others. These experts will share their insights on constitutional law, community law, and regional integration. The event's international and interdisciplinary approach allows for a rich exchange of ideas, doctrines, and institutional experiences. The colloquium's scientific relevance lies in its examination of the growing role of regional jurisdictions in consolidating the rule of law.
In Africa, regional jurisdictional mechanisms for protecting fundamental rights have gained prominence in assessing states' conformity to international commitments. The African Court of Human Rights and Peoples' Rights, the ECOWAS Court of Justice, and other community jurisdictions illustrate this evolution. However, their intervention raises delicate questions when protecting fundamental rights intersects with states' sovereign decisions. The colloquium will explore the articulation between international commitments' primacy, states' constitutional autonomy, and regional jurisdictions' authority.
The analysis of these relationships requires in-depth reflection on the legal scope of judgments, their enforcement mechanisms, and conditions for constructive dialogue between national and regional jurisdictions. The event will also focus on the control of constitutional changes, a sensitive aspect of the debate. The Constitution is the fundamental expression of a state's legal and political organization, and its elaboration, revision, or replacement can spark controversies affecting democratic principles, institutional guarantees, or rights enshrined in regional instruments.
A key question to be addressed is whether regional jurisdictions should limit their intervention to controlling directly imputable state violations or also assess certain effects of constitutional transformations on democratic requirements. The colloquium's outcomes are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing debate on constitutionalism and jurisdictional mechanisms for protecting fundamental rights. By exploring these complex issues, participants aim to provide a deeper understanding of the relationships between regional human rights jurisdictions, state sovereignty, and constitutional changes.
Ultimately, the colloquium seeks to foster a nuanced discussion on the role of regional jurisdictions in promoting the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights in Africa. By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, the event will facilitate a rich exchange of ideas and experiences, ultimately contributing to the development of a more robust and effective framework for human rights protection in the region.
Key points
- The colloquium will examine the growing role of regional jurisdictions in consolidating the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights in Africa.
- Participants will discuss the complex relationships between regional human rights jurisdictions, state sovereignty, and constitutional changes.
- The event aims to foster a nuanced discussion on the role of regional jurisdictions in promoting the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights in Africa.
