Bogale Wakene, Dagnachew (PhD)kedir, Tamru2021-04-272023-11-082021-04-272023-11-082013-05http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/26236This paper attempts to appraise the protection of the human rights of PWDs within the African Union human rights framework. Globally, the issue of disability has obtained a significant attention in recent years due to the fact that the rights of PWDs are not protected and promoted in all aspects of activities as equally as other non-disabled persons. In the African context too, negative attitude, distorted public assumptions and stereotypes have been demonstrated in forms, inter alia, of discriminations, segregation, neglect and abuse in access to employment, health, justice, and other social services. Despite abject challenges encountering PWDs, the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by the United Nations General Assembly implies how the issue of disability is sensitive and increasing concerns of governments and the international community. Hence, the adoption of this Convention is a collective effort of all concerned organs as well as a critical response to a growing human rights pressure from many national and international organizations operating on human rights, mainly disabled persons organizations (DPOs). As members of the United Nations, many African countries have ratified the CRPD at national level, taking into consideration the complex and unfavorable situations facing PWDs in their respective contexts. Albeit talks about human rights can be traced back to decades, the general attitudes of the society and the lack of awareness on the part of governments in Africa have negatively influenced the actual lives and rights of PWDs. Within the auspices of the Organization of African Unity/the African Union, fewer efforts have been exerted to bring about changes in the prevention and rehabilitation of disabilities in the Continent. At regional levels, a plethora of human rights instruments and institutions are adopted and organized to enforce the human rights of all human beings and peoples of Africa. However, neither binding instruments, nor specific institutions dealing with the human rights of PWDs have come in to reality, except certain movements are underway to establish legal and structural frameworks in this regard. Thus, this paper assesses the human rights of PWDs in light of international human rights instruments briefly and, most importantly, the general situations of PWDs in Africa including the human rights and institutional structures within the African Union human rights frameworks.enprotectionThesis