International Day of Human Rights Statement
International Day of Human Rights Statement
The Africa Democracy Forum joins the world in celebrating International Human Rights Day marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This day is to recognize everyone’s efforts engaged in fighting for human rights and its preservation, and also to call upon everyone to be aware of his/her rights to avoid any manipulation or abuse of rights.
The African Democracy Forum recognizes the improvements made across the continent to preserve human rights and aspire to contribute to the persistent protection of civil rights as we believe that where there is an abuse and violation of human rights, democracy cannot exist. Democracy and human rights are complementary and the means by which the continent will attain the sort of stability that we require to prosper.
As the African Democracy Forum we remain mindful of the various strategies and laws that govern the assurance of the human rights on the continent and the progress that has been made. Celebrating Human Rights Day is a reflection reminding us that knowing how to preserve and to protect human rights is everyone’s responsibility. Valuing the advocacy and protection of vulnerable citizens who are not capable of resisting the abuse of their rights should be enhanced in all aspects. This should start on a lower basis such as education both formal and informal so that children grow cherishing their rights and understanding what they are to avoid future exploitation.
Human Rights education covers a wide collection of principles and values that include peace, justice and tolerance, equality, diplomacy, and value for human dignity. By safeguarding recognition of and advancing respect for human rights in all societies, it allows learners to contribute in setting together a sustainable and non-violent future for all.
In Africa, significant progress has been made toward the development of human rights in different aspects, though there is still a long way to go as extensive human rights abuses still occur in many sections of the continent. These are mostly caused by political instability (as a consequence of civil war), ethnic discrimination, corruption, economic insufficiency, illiteracy, disease, religious bias, debt and bad financial management, monopoly of power, lack of judicial and press independence, and border conflicts.
There have been a lot of improvements in the development of African Women Rights on all sides such as political involvement at both the national and local levels. The continent has adopted a number of legitimate instruments, like the Maputo Protocol, statements and resolutions aimed at assuring women’s rights. The Maputo Protocol notes that "violence against women" is all acts perpetrated against women which cause or could cause them physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm, including the threat to take such acts; or to undertake the imposition of arbitrary restrictions on or deprivation of fundamental freedoms in private or public life in peace time and during situations of armed conflicts or of war. The protocol, serves as a guide to understand what violence is and how to protect the rights of women and girls.
Moreover Children’s rights have not been left behind. Due to different types of violence and maltreatment which cause chaos in the lives of several children in Africa, including economic and sexual abuse, gender bias in education, and being caught in the barrage during armed conflicts, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) was created to defend children and safeguard their indispensable rights. Children’s rights must be protected as they are a group of people who can’t advocate for themselves. The Charter serves as the major legal instrument within the African human rights system and makes clear the rights and privileges that African nations must assure to their children.
In looking at how far we have come to commit to the rights of all we realize that the work is never finished and use this day as a reminder of the work that lies ahead. We call on all Africans young and old, the private and public sector, civil society and government to continue the work of insuring that the innate rights of all humanity are protected.
Happy 70th Anniversary of Human Rights!