The 7^th Congress of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CJCA) on “Human Dignity as a Fundamental Value and Principle: A Source of Constitutional Interpretation, Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Application” was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on 30 October-3 November 2024.

President of the Constitutional Court Mr. Kadir Özkaya participated in the Congress representing the Turkish Constitutional Court, which holds an observer status to the CJCA. President Özkaya was accompanied by Deputy Secretary General Dr. Mücahit Aydın.

Following the opening ceremony, in which Mr. C. Chiwenga, Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, also delivered a speech, the academic sessions commenced. The first session of the Congress focused on “Human Dignity as a Fundamental Constitutional Value and Principle”. In the second session themed “Human Dignity as a Fundamental Human Right and Freedom”, President Özkaya delivered a speech on “The Place and Importance of Human Dignity in Human Rights Jurisdiction”. In his remarks, President Özkaya noted that human dignity is globally recognised as an ethical and legal principle that ensures respect for all human beings and that the need to protect and promote it in times of both peace and war is also emphasised in international instruments.

President Özkaya stated, “Human dignity, above all, rejects oppression, racism, exploitation, isolation, discrimination, hate speech, othering and excessiveness.” He also drew attention to the proliferation of persecution, outrageous practices, hatred and othering in different parts of the world.

President Özkaya shared examples of the Constitutional Court’s judgments that address human dignity, stressing that the Court regards human dignity as an absolute value that must be upheld under all circumstances. Noting that the Court has successfully fulfilled its mission within the scope of its authority to examine individual applications, President Özkaya continued, “The Turkish Constitutional Court considers that human dignity constitutes the very essence of the rights and justice-centred constitutional interpretation. Human dignity encompasses the basic requirement that individuals lead their lives as free and autonomous beings. This necessitates the realisation of human dignity within a legal framework founded on rights and justice.”

At the end of his speech, President Özkaya emphasised the need for a swift return to moral values and the establishment of justice to achieve a just and ever-lasting peace everywhere. He further expressed his hope for the cessation of all actions that infringe upon human dignity in the world.

Taking the floor at the Plenary Session held following the third session on “Human Dignity as a Source of Constitutional Interpretation”, President Özkaya congratulated the President of the Constitutional and Supreme Court of Zimbabwe, Mr. Luke Malaba, who assumed the term-presidency of the Conference, and the Secretary General of the Conference, Mr. Moussa Laraba, and wished the Conference continued success. President Özkaya also expressed the Turkish Constitutional Court’s desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation with its counterparts in Africa, stating that they would continue to participate in and support the works of the CJCA.

President Özkaya held bilateral meetings with Aboud Daud Imani, President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as with the presidents and members of constitutional courts from various African countries, during which they were engaged in the exchange of ideas.