FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Pateh Baldeh
26 November 2009
The 46th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights which started on the 11th ended on the 25th November. The ordinary session brought together 67 delegates representing 21 states Parties, 7 national human rights institutions, 8 international and governmental organizations and forty one (41) African and international NGO's.
In her statement at the closing ceremony, the chairperson of the commission, Commissioner Reine Alapini- Ganson recalled some of the events that have marked the deliberations of the 46th ordinary session of the ACHPR held in Banjul , the Gambia from 11th to 25th November 2009.
She said there was a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the organization of their session to the extent that neither of the state parties nor the members of the community of NGOs, nor the partners at various levels were certain about what was actually going to happen. She said the deliberations of the 46th ordinary session of the ACHPR took place under optimal conditions and the participation was also satisfactory.
She also used the occasion to welcome the three new commissioners who were recently sworn into office. She expressed hope that together they will continue to consolidate the progress already made both within the work of the commission and in the context of their mission of promotion and protection of human rights and to commit themselves to addressing the numerous challenges which await them in the execution of their mandate.
She said very alarming situations have been of concern to them. The desire for the change of normal constitutional order as is the case in Niger and the reaction that this may generate, the systematic refusal to take into consideration the legitimate aspiration of the sovereign people, the serious large scale human rights violations in the face of all these tendencies like the case in Guinea, the persistence of armed conflicts with the resulting trail of refuges and internally displaced persons in Sudan and Somalia, Sexual abuse, raping on a large-scale in North and South Kivu in the DRC, or even intolerance or denial of the rights to descend ever in the countries where there is relative peace, were some of the issues which were discussed positively and at length during their session.
She said there is also the need to point out the specter of electoral violence which results in all kinds of suffering for the most vulnerable sections of the population.
The chairperson also dwelt on the specific and highly critical situation of human rights defenders and journalists in many countries particularly in the Gambia, which she said cannot be swept under the carpet. Moreover, she said the Gambia which has hosted the African commission for the past two decades should have been a haven of peace for all human rights activities. She also talked about the situation of women and the girl child and more specially the problem of maternal and reproductive health.
The ACHPR she said has already taken action in conformity with the spirit and content of its mandate in relation to human rights situation in Guinea, in the Gambia and in Niger. She said any initiative within this context should adequately take into account what it has achieved and what it intends to do in the future.
In declaring the session closed, Ms Isatou Graham, a senior state counsel on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Gambia added that after two weeks of deliberation participants will leave with more commitment in the area of protection and promotion of human rights in their various countries. She said the African charter which was given to us by our heads of states is a powerful instrument. This charter, she said, enshrines nearly all internationally recognize instruments.
The charter she went on marks the ascendancy of human rights as legitimate subject of regional discourse on the continent. The African Commission she said was set up under the Charter to ensure the monitoring, protection and promotion of human rights. She went on to say, "let us assess our individual and collective efforts in the promotion of human rights and find and amicable solution to the challenges impeding the protection and enjoyment of those rights." She said we are responsible for the successes and failure of the African Commission.
The Gambia, she said, is also aware of its responsibility to the African charter. The African Charter she said is our manifesto for a better Africa and that it calls for a shared commitment to improved human rights condition in Africa .
She indicated that despite our regional variations and challenges encountered in the promotion of human rights, it is imperative for us to assess our shortcomings and demonstrate our intention to strengthen human rights in our region.
She said the watch words should be development, democracy and respect for human rights. With such determination the outcome of this session would not only be a paper, but part of a legal framework which would be incorporated in policies by our various governments.
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