A COMPARATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE IN AFRICA

Abstract

This article provides a brief study of the constitutional protection of the right to life in Africa. This entails looking at the provisions on the right to life contained in various constitutions of African States, as well as jurisprudence on the matter of the right to life, and a comparison with the relevant international standards (United Nations and African Union). This article is based on a clinical group led by Prof Christof Heyns, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. The focus of the clinical group was issues surrounding the right to life as envisaged in his mandate.