Gansou: Governments Lacks Commitment on Human Right

Posted by Modou S. Joof on May 31, 2010 at 10:38pm
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Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Right has stated that human rights issue remains a challenge in Africa due to lack of commitment by individuals and State Parties.

Commissioner Reine Alapina Gansou was speaking to journalists at a press conference at the end of the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, on Wednesday 26th May 2010.

“Collective effort is needed for Africa to emerge from this situation,” she said while calling for the cooperation of African governments on the work of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right (ACPHR).


She stressed that intimidation of the African Commission by the governments is not acceptable and urged African governments to work closely with the mechanisms put in place by the Commission in its drive to promote and protect human rights on the Continent.

“If the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right is isolated then it cannot execute its mandate effectively,” she said.

On the work of the Commission, she emphasize that the role of the African Commission is crucial in the fulfillment of human rights, which she said is an impartial and independent organ that is committed to defend and protect human rights.

Reflecting on the recently concluded 47th Ordinary Session, she noted that it was successful and that the issue of human rights has been the centre ofdiscussion during the session. She pointed out that the Commission has taken bold decisions to make declarations on various aspects of human rights, including press freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of association, right to citizenship among other things.

She also reiterated the need to ensure the freedom of the people, arguing that poor that poor management of human and natural resources has impoverished the African Continent and its people regardless of the fact that Africa is the richest continent on earth in terms of natural resources.

In conclusion, Commission Gansou commends The Gambian Government for hosting the 47th Ordinary Session of the African Commission, but not without challenging the government to improve its human right record.

The Gambia should be the heaven of peace since it is hosting the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Right, she said.