By: Kebba AF Touray / Mariama Touray
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) has concluded the 79th Session of the Commission held in the country.
The Session, though mostly virtual, was attended by human rights stakeholders and state officials as implementers of human rights obligations, pursuant to the African Charter and National Human Rights Institutions in Africa.
Gambia’s Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow, who also attended the Session, said respect for human rights is a recipe for peace in Africa.
According to Justice Minister Jallow, the African Union was established to promote the unity and solidarity of African countries and international cooperation, and said these grand aspirations of the African Union requires the realization of a peaceful African continent.
The Commission, the Minister went on, is therefore their hope for the realization of a continent where human rights are fully respected. He said the mere existence of the Commission is not enough, but rather its success is dependent on the unwavering support of all its stakeholders.
‘‘We all need to work together as stakeholders of the Commission to translate its mandate into reality. The commitment of the Gambia Government to human rights and its pride in hosting the Commission for the last 35 years as the first regional human rights institution in Africa, has truly honored our country to be part of Africa’s human rights journey this far and beyond,” Justice Jallow said.
He told the convergence that the 79th Ordinary Public Session like other sessions has been very critical in the promotion and protection of human rights, adding that as state advisors on human rights, members of the diplomatic and consular corps, civil society and non-Governmental organizations as partners in human rights were all well represented. He detailed that the Session was not just a convergence of participants but of great minds, with the sole mandate of advancing the human rights dialogue to improve the human rights situation in Africa.
He expressed his firm belief that the deliberations undertaken during the session have laid a solid foundation for improved human rights promotion and protection initiatives.
“States have been reinvigorated to continue upholding their human rights obligations under the African Charter and other related human rights instruments. Of course, States cannot do it all alone. Therefore, I call upon all other stakeholders to continue the good work of advocating for the promotion and protection of human rights,” Justice Jallow said.
He emphasized that it is only through such collaborative efforts that we can attain ‘the Africa we want’, and truly live up to the AU Agenda 2063.
Minister Jallow said the session has not only offered an interactive platform but has been a knowledge-sharing platform. He said the inter-connectedness of their mandates as stakeholders herein represented is without question.
“We are all partners in this human rights journey, and we have the responsibility of ensuring that Africa creates and maintains a peaceful and conducive human rights environment.” Justice Minister Jallow told the convergence.
He remarked that the 79th Ordinary Session has served to buttress their partnership in their human rights journey, and it is one of many more Sessions to come in future. He cited the reflections on the human rights situation in Africa during the Session, and the consideration of State Periodic Reports, and the adoption of resolutions and consideration of Communications, among others.
“Worth mentioning is that the Session has served as a platform to foster strong collaboration between the Commission and the Government of the Gambia, represented by its various Ministries,” he indicated and said the constructive human rights dialogue that has taken place exemplifies the important role played by the Commission on issues affecting Africa’s development.
“The outcome of the Session will guide future cooperation and collaboration as necessary, to ensure the full promotion and protection of human rights across the continent,” he said and congratulated the participants on work well done during the 21 days of the Session.
On a final note, Minister Jallow seized the occasion to congratulate the Commission on the successful completion of yet another important Session.
