The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Twenty-ninth Ordinary Session in Cairo, Egypt, from 28-30 June, 1993,
Considering the Sixth Annual Activity Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, submitted by the Chairman Dr. Ibrahim A.I. Badawi El Sheikh in conformity with Article 54 of African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights,
Recalling that the Charter of the Organization of African Unity declares that freedom, equality, justice and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspirations by the African peoples,
Recalling also, the entry into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the 21 October, 1986 and the Declaration on the Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and the On-Going Changes in the World, adopted by the Twenty-sixth Ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 1990,
Convinced of the need to strengthen the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in Africa with all possible human and material resources it needs to carry out its work,
Considering that pursuant to Article 1 of the African Charter, States parties to it are required to recognize the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in the Charter and to undertake to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to them,
Noting with satisfaction that the African Charter is the first Treaty that sanctions the right to development as a Human Right:
A. Activities of the Commission
1. Underlines the importance of ensuring respect for human and peoples' rights with a view to enhancing peace, stability and development in Africa;
2. Reaffirms that the right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human being is entitled to participate in, contribute to and enjoy the economic, social, cultural and political development of the society;
3. Strongly supports and encourages the activities of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights to promote and protect human and peoples' rights in Africa, particularly in its efforts aimed at encouraging States Parties to ensure strict implementation of their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights to promote and protect the rights recognized and guaranteed in the African Charter;
4. Recommends that States Parties to the African Charter designate high ranking officials to act as focal points in the relation between the Commission and the States as such as focal points would facilitate the follow-up on the Commission's recommendations and contact between States and the Commission;
5. Requests the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity to consider possible ways and means to respond as a matter of urgency, to the requirements of the African Commission to enable it fulfil its mission.
B. Overdue Periodic Reports
1. Expresses its deep appreciation to the States Parties which have submitted their initial periodic reports: Benin, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Egypt, Libya, Arab Jamahiriya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia and Zimbabwe;
2. Urges the States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights which have not yet submitted their reports to submit them as soon as possible;
3. Requests that the States should report not only on legislative measures, but also on other measures taken to give effect to each of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and on the problems encountered in giving effect to these rights and freedoms;
4. Recommends that the States in their periodic reports, give information on the implementation of the right to development;
5. Encourages States Parties which encounter difficulties in preparing and submitting their periodic reports to seek help as soon as possible, from the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights which will arrange for assistance in this task through its own or other resources.
C. Promotional Activities
1. Urges all States Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights to reflect the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed by the African Charter in their law and practice, and to ensure availability of appropriate recourse procedure in case of abuse of the said rights;
2. Requests that all States should implement Article 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights by establishing national institutions with responsibility for promoting and protecting human and peoples' rights where they do not exist and strengthening all such institutions;
3. Further requests that all States Parties should ensure among other things:
a) that Human Rights are included in the curriculum at all levels of public and private education and in the training of all law enforcement officials and;
b) that education for Human Rights and democracy should involve every organ of the society as well as the media.
D. Publication of the Sixth Annual Activity Report
Takes note with appreciation of the Sixth Annual Report on the activities of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights and authorizes its publication.
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