This guide provides an introductory background to the African human rights system in celebration of 30 years since the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, on 28 June 1981 25 years since the entry into force of the African Charter, on 21 October 1986. The guide provides a brief history to the African Charter, takes stock of the accomplishments of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, its monitoring body, and reflects on future challenges. Although the African Commission has thus far been the primary human rights body in Africa, it has been complemented by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. These bodies and their founding documents, are also discussed to provide a holistic picture of the African human rights system. This guide has been prepared by the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in collaboration with the African Commission. Information in the guide is, as far as possible, correct as at 21 October 2011, the date of its launch.