Justification and impact of international environmental agreements on West African sub-region: the ECOWAS’ experience

Regional protection of human rights and the environment

“…Although initially focused on economic integration, ECOWAS revised its founding treaty as early as 1993 to address environmental issues in this context more comprehensively. However, relatively few cases on environmental protection have been brought before the Court (Belemsobgo, 2021;Ekhator, 2019). As for human rights, these were further addressed in a supplementary protocol to the ECOWAS Treaty adopted in 2005, amid ECOWAS member states' growing concern over regional stability and following a campaign by judges, bar associations and civil society organisations.…”

Handbook of Regional Cooperation and Integration

“…Although initially focused on economic integration, ECOWAS revised its founding treaty as early as 1993 to address environmental issues in this context more comprehensively. However, relatively few cases on environmental protection have been brought before the Court (Belemsobgo, 2021;Ekhator, 2019). As for human rights, these were further addressed in a supplementary protocol to the ECOWAS Treaty adopted in 2005, amid ECOWAS member states' growing concern over regional stability and following a campaign by judges, bar associations and civil society organisations.…”