October 21 celebrates African Human Rights Day. This marks the entry into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 21 October 1986. The Charter was a solemn undertaking to promote and safeguard freedom, justice, equality and human dignity, in the region. This undertaking was in consonance with a commitment to recognise “… on the one hand, that fundamental human rights stem from the attributes of human beings, which justifies their international protection, and on the other hand that the reality and respect of peoples’ rights necessarily guarantee human rights.”
The theme for African Human Rights Day this year is “Human Rights for All, for a Peaceful and Secure Africa.” Despite very significant strides made, the African continent continues to be the scene of several human and material disasters resulting from armed conflicts and bad governance, and all of these are exacerbated by the increasing state of poverty the vast majority of our people in rural area already live in. In the Central African Republic, insecurity and violence persist, increasing the vulnerability and needs of the people affected including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. South Sudan is in the grip of a crisis defined by horrendous violence and massive displacement. Eastern DRC still remains a scar on the conscience of Africa. We recognise and encourage the efforts of the African Union to stop and resolve conflicts in various countries in Africa.
We continue witnessing a surge in terrorist activities and attacks in different regions of the continent. Large scale destruction caused by terrorist acts have severely impacted communities and set back developmental and peace-building efforts. More often than not, innocent civilians are the primary target of these attacks, depriving them of their most fundamental human right to life and physical integrity.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) remains highly concerned about these indiscriminate violence against and killings of the civilian population. In particular, it condemned the acts of abduction by Boko Haram of over 200 girls from the boarding house of a secondary school in the village of Chibok in the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 14 April 2014. The Commission encourages the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it takes all necessary measures to ensure the rescue and safe return of the abducted girls; and to duly investigate and bring the perpetrators of these gross human rights violations to justice; in accordance with its regional and international human rights obligations.
So on this African Human Rights Day, let us rededicate ourselves to the advancement of human rights and freedoms for all, and pledge always to live by the ideals we promote to the world. Making this vision a reality requires both the persistent protection of governments as well as the active participation of African citizens. Therefore, States Parties to the African Charter, National Human Rights Institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations, all organizations working in various domains of human rights and the public, are encouraged to celebrate this Day in order to promote, once again, the effective realization of fundamental liberties in Africa.
The Commission aligns itself with men and women on the continent who struggle for the right to speak their minds, to choose their leaders, and to be treated with dignity and respect. There are many whose names we will never know, whose courage goes unremarked but is all the more remarkable because they put their lives on the line in the face of beatings, imprisonment, and even death in the near certainty that their sacrifice will be anonymous.
The Commission will continue to work with all our partners to prevent human rights breaches from occurring. We will continue to be vocal about human rights violations. We will continue to ask States to do their part to ensure that the human rights of all are protected and promoted.
The vision and goals formulated in 21 October 1986 are still valid. They are still worth fighting for now and beyond.
Banjul, 21 October 2014
Honourable Zainabo Sylvie Kayitesi
Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
