40th ACPHR Session: AU Leaders Chided for ‘Paper’ Human Rights Commitment
Friday 17th November 2006

By Madi Njie & Amie Jobe

The 40th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) kicked started at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on 15 November, marking the 19th Ordinary session hosted by The Gambia.

Opening the two-week Ordinary Session on behalf of the Gambian vice president, Dr Henry D.R Carrol, acting Solicitor General and Legal Secretary, Department of State for Justice, said the universality of Human Rights is well known, respected and appreciated in International Human Rights circles.

Quoting Human Rights lawyers and activists, Dr Carrol said: “Human Rights are universal, absolute and indivisible, and the violation of human rights any where is the concern of people every where.”

He also brought into memory the inspiring speech of the late Black American Civil Rights Activist, Rev. Dr Martin Luther King (JR), entitled “I have a Dream” in which King talked about the universality of Human Rights enshrined in the American Independence Declaration. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all persons every where, are born with certain inalienable rights, among them are: the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Dr Carrol quoted Martin Luther King.

He also said the day member states of the African Union respect and uphold the three fundamental Human Rights of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that day will mark an historical turning point in the human rights status quo of the African continent.

Calling on AU member states and governments to practise what they preach, and to drop mere rhetoric on the issues of human rights, Salimata Sawadogo, Chairperson of the ACHPR, pleaded with member states to be more committed in the implementation of human rights’ obligations on the continent.

Mrs Sawadogo Avers: “Since independence, African States have ratified several instruments aimed at the promotion and protection of human rights on the continent – both at sub-regional, regional and international level. On paper, the commitment of some African States to the protection of human rights is unmatched even by some western countries.  However, the reality is different.

“Lack of commitment to fully implement the human rights obligations has resulted in the continent facing continuous human rights challenges – the Commission continues to receive reports of human rights violations ranging from restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, association, to freedom from torture, violation of the right to life, arbitrary detention, etc.

“Poverty remains a serious menace to human rights and conflicts occasioned by perceived or real violations of human rights continue to generate refugee and IDPs [Internally Displaced Persons] flows.  The rights of Women, children and the aged continue to be trampled upon with impunity.  These and many other human rights challenges remain of concern to the African Commission and should be of concern to all of us.”

She emphasized that it is not only adequate to sign and ratify conventions, declarations and policies, but rather to apply practical commitment.

The ACHPR boss also spoke of the financial constraints facing the Commission, which requires the support of all member states and donors to help the Commission realise its goals.

The Session ends on 29 November.