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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 26 Oct 2007 : 17:58:55
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ACHPR Holds Lecture On African Human Rights System
By Gibairu Janneh
The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in partnership with the law department of the University of The Gambia on Friday held a lecture on the theme;’ “Towards an Understanding of the African Human Rights System’ at the Paradise Suites Hotel.
In his welcoming remarks Mr. Musa Nyang Bittaye member of the commission and a member of the working group on indigenous populations” committee said the the lecture was held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the commission and the African Human Rights day, which is observed every 21st October. He said that this is the first time that the commission is carrying out its mandate by engaging the highest institution of learning, adding that the African human rights system is unique from other human rights systems in that it does not only protect individual civil rights but also the collective rights of people as a community.
The Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice Mrs. Marie Saine Fridous said for one to understand the human rights system of Africa one must not forget the historical past. SoS Saine said colonialism still has effect on contemporary African societies.
She said colonialism does not in any way support human rights and the socio-economic development of Africa. The colonial masters were only interested in exploiting the economy and they enacted and enforced all sorts of draconian laws and policies to safeguard their economic interest thereby depriving Africans of their rights, she noted. The SoS further states that as the consequence of colonialism is greatly felt by Africa, the first challenge of post independent states and the African Union was to restore African’s human rights system and that the establishment of the African Commission on human and peoples’ rights by the OAU in June 1981 was the first step that opened the window of opportunity to Africa. She said African states ratified the African Charter without reservation, which means that they are committed to the principles of human rights. She singled out that the Gambia has ever been committed to the charter and this is evident in the Children’s Act in 2005, trafficking in Human Act in 2007, the Women’s Bill which may be enacted soon and part four of the 1997 constitution which guarantees the economic, social and cultural rights of citizens and are enforced in the courts of law. She concluded that the 21st century Africa has had some countries that had witnessed gross violation of human rights due to conflicts and wars and some that have improved. She remarked that human rights is a two-way traffic where the state and citizens must co-operate to achieve and that the mindset of the people must be changed towards a concept of human rights.
Mrs. Hannah Foster executive director of African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies said the commission came into being in response to the many voices to address the gross violation of rights in the continent and the commission has taken a step towards human rights in the past 20 years. She said the commission aims to ensure peace, stability and development and in achieving this the commission takes cognizant of the African culture, which is the foundation of the society. She further states that the commission aims to establish an African human rights court. She disclosed that this has been proposed since January 2004 and 23 states have so far ratified the protocol. She said Tanzania will be the venue of the court but the structure and procedures have not been worked out. She also said the commission finalized yet. She also said the commission has adopted a protocol on the rights of women in 2003 and had 20 ratifications and 43 signatories whereas the African Union convention on refugees has 43 ratifications. Mrs. Foster also disclosed that the commission does work with the African Union and they have access to he Union’s Economic and structural organizing commission (ECOSOC) and the peace and security council (PASC) and also the Non-governmental organisation in the promotion of human rights by given them observer status. She concluded that despite the achievement of the commission they faced numerous set backs such as the lack of an independent enforcement agency. The commission does not provide legal aid and that the commission is usually criticized for keeping information secret, which is against the principle of transparency.
For his part the vice chancellor of the University of the Gambia Professor Andreas Steigen said universities do shape society by creating an avenue for the best minds to meet. He said universities do not only provide critical knowledge but also shape economic and social conditions. Professor Stiegen remarked that the law module of the UTG would study among other things the history of human rights in Europe and Africa, the structure and process of human rights systems and problems of human rights in Africa so as to enable students critique the system and help them come up with better alternatives.
Other speakers include Dr. Feyi Oqunade Senior Legal officer of the commission, Her Excellency Justice Sanji Mmasenono Monageng, member of the commission and Chairperson of the follow-up committee on the implementation of the Robben Island Guidelines and Dr. Mary Maboreka, Secretary to the African Commission on human and peoples rights gave the vote of thanks.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 126/2007, 26 – 28 October 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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