 for an advisory opinion may be on questions relating the interpretation of the Convention or any other treaty concerning the protection of human rights in the Americas as well as the compatibility of domestic laws with international human rights treaties (Article 64 ACHR). Contentious Jurisdiction: The Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate claims brought against State who have made a declaration accepting the Jurisdiction of the Court under (Article 62(1) ACHR). Only the Inter –American Commission and States have the right bring claims before the Court. Individual complaints must first be addressed to the Commission, which may refer the claim to the Court. States may accept the Court’s jurisdiction for a specific period of time or for specific issues. The African Union Key Instruments 52. The African Union is the successor of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The Assembly of the Heads of State and Governments of the OAU adopted the Constitutive Act that established the African Union (AU) on 11 July 2000 and this entered into force in May 2001. 53. The principal instrument in the African human rights system is the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) (1986). A number of other treaties have also been adopted including the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003); the Convention on Specific Aspects of the Refugee Problem in Africa (1969); the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990); and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1998); and the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (2009). Implementation Mechanism 54. The African Commission and African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights are the two bodies established to monitor implementation of the ACHPR. 55. The African Commission is composed of eleven members, who are elected for a term of six years by the Assembly of the African Union from a list of persons nominated by States parties to the Charter. It has the power to:    Receive and examine communications from both individuals and States alleging violations of the rights in the Charter; Examine reports from member States; Interpret provisions in the African Charter upon request by an AU member state, an AU organ or and African organisation recognised by the AU. 19