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Momodou
Denmark
11644 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Nov 2006 : 13:27:44
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Africa's Human Rights Record
By Modou Nyang
Lack of commitment to fully implement human rights obligations in Africa has resulted to the continent facing continuous human rights challenges, said Salimata Sawadogo, chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights.
In her opening speech of the 40th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights on Wednesday, Ambassador Sawadogo observed that the issue of human rights in Africa is not the number of conventions, declarations or policies in place, but the practical application of the commitments stipulated.
Sawadogo indicated that the commission continues to receive reports of human rights violations ranging from restrictions of freedom of expression, assembly and association together with torture and the violation of the right to life and arbitrary detention. She added that conflicts occasioned by violations of human rights continue to generate refugees and internally displaced persons, with the rights of women, children and the aged being trampled upon with impunity.
As the commission completes two decades of existence, the chairperson of the African Commission urged her compatriots in the human rights field to take stock and strategise to put in place measures to make human rights a theme in the transformation and integration processes. "After two decades of existence the commission should have a record to show to the African people" she stated. "We must ask our selves what we have done to enhance the enjoyment of human rights on the continent," Sawadogo told the august gathering.
She went on to confront her colleagues by asking them as parties to the African charter what they have done to fulfill their obligations in these words. "As a state party to the charter for instance, what have you done to fulfill your obligation to the charter? Has the state put in place legislative measures as required by article 1 or submitted its periodic report as provided by article 62? As a National Human Rights Organisation what have you done to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in your country?" Madam Sawadogo also challenged the NGO community on the submission of their activity reports to the commission and individuals too for their contributions made to serve the downtrodden Africans who may not even know about the existence of the African Commission.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 103/2006, 22-23 November, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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