African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
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(b) the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a competent
court or tribunal;
(c) the right to defence, including the right to be defended by counsel of
his choice;
(d) the right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial court or
tribunal.
2.
No one may be condemned for an act or omission which did not
constitute a legally punishable offence at the time it was committed. No
penalty may be inflicted for an offence for which no provision was made at
the time it was committed. Punishment is personal and can be imposed only
on the offender.
Article 8
Freedom of conscience, the profession and free practice of religion shall be
guaranteed. No one may, subject to law and order, be submitted to measures
restricting the exercise of these freedoms.
Article 9
1.
Every individual shall have the right to receive information.
2.
Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his
opinions within the law.
Article 10
1.
Every individual shall have the right to free association provided that he
abides by the law.
2.
Subject to the obligation of solidarity provided for in article 29, no one
may be compelled to join an association.
Article 11
Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others. The
exercise of this right shall be subject only to necessary restrictions provided
for by law in particular those enacted in the interest of national security, the
safety, health, ethics and rights and freedoms of others.
Article 12
1.
Every individual shall have the right to freedom of movement and
residence within the borders of a state provided he abides by the law.
2.
Every individual shall have the right to leave any country including his
own, and to return to his country. This right may only be subject to
restrictions provided for by law for the protection of national security, law
and order, public health or morality.
3.
Every individual shall have the right, when persecuted, to seek and
obtain asylum in other countries in accordance with the laws of those
countries and international conventions.
4.
A non-national legally admitted in a territory of a state party to the
present Charter, may only be expelled from it by virtue of a decision taken in
accordance with the law.
5.
The mass expulsion of non-nationals shall be prohibited. Mass expulsion
shall be that which is aimed at national, racial, ethnic or religious groups.
Article 13
1.
Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government
of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in
accordance with the provisions of the law.