SUBSTANCE
Fair trial /right to have one’s cause heard – article 7
Right to be present at trial
Conviction after trial in absentia when the court was aware of the ill health of the defendant
and the defendant was not allowed to provide the trial court with reasons for absence violates
the right to be present at one’s trial in accordance with article 7(1)(c) of the ACHPR and
article 14(3)(d) of the ICCPR (Alex Thomas v United Republic of Tanzania, application
005/2013, judgment, 20 November 2015, paras 81-99).