Semester 2 2025 - DUE 18 September 2025; 100%
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Legal Opinion for the Movement Against Death Penalty
(MADP)
Re: Mr Mbhekwe v. Republic of Kamarara – Human Rights
Committee (HRC) Petition under the ICCPR and its Optional
Protocols
1. Procedural Issues
In order to determine whether MADP can validly take Mr
Mbhekwe’s case to the Human Rights Committee (HRC), the
following procedural requirements under the First Optional
Protocol to the ICCPR must be addressed:
a) Jurisdiction and Competence of the HRC
Kamarara is a State Party to the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and both of its Optional
Protocols. By ratifying the First Optional Protocol,
Kamarara has recognised the competence of the HRC to
receive and consider individual communications from
persons under its jurisdiction who claim to be victims of
violations of the rights set forth in the ICCPR.
, Therefore, the HRC has ratione personae, ratione
materiae, and ratione loci jurisdiction in this matter.
b) Standing of MADP
Under Article 1 of the First Optional Protocol, individuals
may bring communications themselves or through duly
authorised representatives. MADP, as an NGO providing
legal representation to individuals facing the death
penalty, may act on behalf of Mr Mbhekwe if he provides
written consent.
The HRC has in prior cases (e.g., Aumeeruddy-Cziffra et al.
v. Mauritius, Communication No. 35/1978) recognised that
third parties can submit complaints where proper
authorisation is provided.
c) Exhaustion of Domestic Remedies
Article 5(2)(b) of the First Optional Protocol requires
exhaustion of available and effective domestic remedies
before an application can be made to the HRC.
Mr Mbhekwe has appealed to the Supreme Court of
Appeal and subsequently to the Constitutional Court,
which is the highest court in Kamarara. His appeals were
dismissed on both conviction and sentence, meaning
domestic remedies have been exhausted.
d) Non-duplication of Procedures