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Momodou
Denmark
11644 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Dec 2006 : 00:52:10
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African Commission Ends 40th Session
By Fabakary B. Ceesay and Bubacarr k. Sowe
For the past two weeks, Banjul has been the centre of activity for human rights actors around the continent. African Union Member states, international and intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, human rights advocates and activists, all conveyed in Banjul to join hands with the African Commission to dialogue, brainstorm and reflect on ways and means to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights on the continent.
In her closing speech, Ambassador Salamata Sawadogo, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, stated that during their public sessions, they exchanged views on a range of issues affecting the enjoyment of human rights on the continent. According to her, the commission had examined a variety of issues dealing with human rights situations in Africa generally, but also considered the human rights condition of specific groups such as women, Refugees, internally displaced persons and human rights defenders. She added that thematic human right issues such as torture, freedom of expression, the death penalty and prison conditions were examined. Ambassador Sawadogo indicated that continuous interest was being shown by many people on the work of the commission, and the latter had recorded numerous complaints at this session. She highlighted the ambitions of the commission to enhance the enjoyment of human rights on the continent, a will that brought all of them together. She mentioned the desire of the commission to usher in a new Africa, an Africa in which the lives of the populations will constantly improve to attain the most rigorous of standards which are generally applied in the world. “I must note here that the commission held lengthy and highly constructive debates on all these issues, and has taken the necessary actors, as appropriate” she said.
In his closing remakes, the Attorney General, Mr. Kebba Sanayng, noted that it is one thing for independent sovereign states of the African Union to sign, ratify and domesticate International and Regional Human Rights conventions; but it is also an entirely different thing or ball game for these African states, to respect, uphold, cherish and implement the noble and intentionally acclaimed provisions, of those international and Regional Human Rights Conventions, which those African states in question have signed, ratified and domesticated. Mr. Sanyang, called on all Africans to hope and pray unceasingly for the Human Rights records of all African states of the African Union, to progress by leaps and bounds, across the length and breadth of our beloved African continent, so that the culture of Human Rights would take root all over Africa. “Thus making Africa a better place to live in, not only for the Africans in Africa, but for Africans in the diaspora and all peace loving people in our global village”.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 107/2006, 1-3 December, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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