What approach does the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights use for enforcement?

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights employs a non-binding but authoritative decision-making approach for enforcement. This means that while the Commission can issue decisions, recommendations, and views on human rights matters, these do not carry the same legal weight as court judgments in a national or international court that are enforceable by law. The decisions made by the Commission are intended to provide guidance and influence, urging states to comply with their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. This authoritative aspect comes from the Commission's role as a key body for human rights oversight in Africa, which lends significant moral and political weight to its findings, even though states are not legally compelled to implement them.

In contrast, other options imply varying levels of legal enforceability that do not accurately reflect the Commission's operation. The mention of legally binding decisions or authoritative rulings with compulsory compliance suggests an enforcement mechanism that does not exist within the Commission's structure. Similarly, limiting its function solely to legislative recommendations does not capture the nuanced authority the Commission holds in providing guidance on the states' adherence to human rights norms.