PREFACE
Namibia is pleased to submit its 7th periodic report on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the second report under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. The report covers the period 2016 to 2019. Namibia takes great pride in fulfilling its human rights obligations as spelt out in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Protecting, promoting and fulfilling the human rights of all Namibians remains a priority of the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
Namibia has always been an ardent supporter of the African Union resolutions pertaining to human rights protection in general and the rights of the most vulnerable members of society in particular. The Government reiterates its commitment to promotion and promotion of human rights in the country by continuously holding constructive engagements with Special Rapporteurs from the African human Rights system and the United Nations. The Government of Namibia will do its utmost best to submit periodical State reports timeously.
The Government is mindful of and recognises the fact that no country is free from allegations of human rights abuses and Namibia is no exception. Our nation therefore continues to strengthen its institutions to combat any acts of human rights abuse. To strengthen human Rights Protection, the Office of the Ombudsman’s budget has since been increased to allow it to investigate cases of human rights abuses by organs of the State, individuals and corporations as well as to enable it to carry out human rights awareness programs throughout the country.
The Office of the Ombudsman facilitated the process for preparation and drafting of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) as well as the White Paper on Indigenous people. As part of this process, a baseline study on Human Rights in Namibia was completed in October 2013 which was conducted by the University of Namibia at the request of the Office the Ombudsman. The NHRAP has 7 thematic areas being: access 2 to health services; access to justice; access to education; right to water and sanitation; right to housing; access to land; and the right not to be discriminated against.
Furthermore, Namibia has made tremendous strides in the protection and promotion of women and children’s rights and welfare. Namibia as a State party to the African Charter has passed a number of gender and child friendly laws during the reporting period. These are: the Child Care and Protection Act, Act No 3 of 2015 as well as Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, (Act No 1 of 2018). In an effort to strengthening the legal framework in relation to gender specific laws, Namibia is in the process of reviewing several gender specific laws, namely the Rape Act, Maintenance Act and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act.
In conclusion, Namibia as a state party to this charter is and will always be committed to having a human rights-based approach in governance and ensuring that every Namibian and by a large extension African, is fully enabled to exercise their inherent human rights.
Hon. Yvonne Dausab, MP
Minister of Justice
