African Human Rights Day
The Network of National NGO Platforms in West and Central Africa solemnly calls upon African nations to commit themselves to ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
21 October is African Human Rights Day
DAKAR, Sénégal, October 18, 2013/ — On the occasion of the African Human Rights Day on 21 October, the Network of National NGO Platforms in West and Central Africa solemnly calls upon African nations to commit themselves to ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR).
After several decades of struggle, this Protocol was adopted in 2008 and came into force in May 2013. It marks a major step forward in guaranteeing people’s dignity by ensuring that the economic, social, and cultural rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 are “legally accountable”.
A total of 45 countries across the world have already signed the Protocol, whilst it has been ratified by a total of 11 countries.
While African countries were on the vanguard of defending the emergence of this Protocol, the NGO coalitions of West Africa (REPAOC) (http://www.repaoc.org) and Central Africa (REPONGAC) (www.repongac.org) deplore the fact that no African Nation State has yet ratified it.
Since they were founded, REPAOC and REPONGAC have been fighting for the interests of African people and to advance their fundamental rights.
Consequently, the two networks have taken the decision to merge in order:
- to call on African nations to unconditionally ratify the OP-ICESCR as soon as possible;
- to urge African courts to incorporate and apply the provisions of this Protocol;
- to launch a solemn appeal to everyone involved in African civil and political society to increase awareness in the wider community about the importance of this Protocol.
For further information about the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, click the following link: http://bit.ly/1eud5Ih.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the REPAOC – Réseau des Plates-formes d’ONG d’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre.
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