Judge worried about disregard for human rights in Africa

Accra, Sept. 10, GNA - Mr Justice Paul U. Dery, a High Court Judge, on Thursday expressed worry about the lack of commitment to the recognition, respect, protection and enforcement of human rights in Africa.

He said the disregard for the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, had also led to atrocities, military adventurism, one party State and mediocre leadership on the Continent. Mr Justice Dery made the observation when addressing the Fifth Annual Learn and Share Festival on the theme: "Five Years of Promoting Citizen Government Engagement in Ghana, the Rights and Voice Initiative (RAVI) Experience" in Accra.

It was organised by RAVI, an organisation established to enhance the engagement of the State by citizens towards the respect, protection and fulfilment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights as enshrined in the 1992 Ghana Constitution.

Mr Justice Dery said the shortcomings had resulted in failed nations and economies and stressed the need to promote human rights to enhance democracy, rule of law and good governance in Africa. He said the Constitution and Act 462 had created a favourable environment for civil society organisation such as RAVI to contribute immensely in enhancing the promotion of human rights especially for the vulnerable in Ghana.

Mr Justice Dery said that the media in particular was instrumental in promoting, protecting and expanding the rights and liberties of the people by exposing corruption, reversed the culture of silence and impunity and increased the demand for transparency, accountability and good governance.

He said one of the areas in which improved democratic governance converged and sometimes conflicted with people's aspirations and rights for improved wellbeing was the extend to which government was accountable to the citizenry.

Mr Justice Dery said people readily invoked the jurisdiction of the courts to vindicate the violation of their civil and political rights. Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye, Director of Institute of Local Government Studies, said some specific achievements of RAVI and its grant partners included contributions to relevant policies towards the protection and fulfilment of human rights.

These, she said, included the policy on reasonable conditions of service for domestic workers, rights of people in consensual unions, as well as various bye-laws at the district level.

The two-day festival has sub-themes such as "Building Grassroots Capacity For Effective Citizens Government Engagement", "Seeking Rights and Promoting Voice For Accountable Governance" and "Influencing Power Relations To Promote Sustainable Development Through Participation and Inclusion".

The festival is expected to showcase the achievements of RAVI and its grant partners since 2004.

It will in addition, inform the public about the importance of citizen government engagement in promoting good governance and sustainable development.

Organisations promoting human rights including RAVI, Association Of People For Practical Life Education, Public Agenda, Drama Networks, Community Development and Advocacy Centre, Northern Network for Education, Federation of Youth Clubs and Muslim Family Counselling mounted an exhibition.