Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

V
WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 339
recommendations to it. The observations of the Commission
must be communicated to the Assembly through the Secretary
General and to the State Party concerned. The Assembly or its
Chairman may request the Commission to conduct an in-depth
study on these cases and to submit a factual report
accompanied by its findings and recommendations, in
accordance with the provisions of the Charter. The Commission
may entrust this function to a Special Rapporteur or a working
group. 917
7. African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
The 1998 Protocol to the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on
Human and Peoples’ Rights, which came into force on 25
January 2004, established the Court. On 1 July 2008, the
Assembly of the African Union adopted a Protocol on the
Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, which
will merge the African Court of Justice and the African Court on
Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Protocol has at the time of
writing been ratified by only three States and will enter into
force after the fifteenth ratification.
Preparatory Stage: The applicant must file with the Court
Registry one signed copy of the application containing a
summary of facts and of the evidence he or she intends to
adduce. It must specify the alleged violation, the evidence of
exhaustion of domestic remedies, and the orders or injunctions
sought, plus the request for reparations, if sought. 918 The
Registrar transmits a copy to the President and the members of
the Court and, unless the Court decides otherwise, to the other
parties which might be potential applicants or respondents. 919
The State Party must respond within 60 days, unless extension
917
See, Article 120, ibid.
918
Article 34, ACtHPR Rules of Procedure.
919
Article 35, ibid.