We, the over 100 participants in attendance at the first ever Pan-Africa Human Rights Conference, held in Accra, Ghana, on November 21 to 23, 2008 organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and the International Trade Union Confederation - African Regional Organization, representing the African labour movement; most of the continent’s major human rights organisations, networks and institutions; media organizations; and prominent individuals from around Africa to address the growing challenges of human rights in Africa, make the following declaration:

Concerned about the grave deterioration of the human rights situation in Africa and the increasing restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association, among other fundamental rights and freedoms;

Considering the lack of respect for democratic principles characterized by the continued occurrence of coup d’états in some countries on the continent; recurring attempts at constitutional amendments to enable incumbent political leaders remain in power indefinitely; and frequent cases of fraudulent elections;

Considering the lack of good governance and the mismanagement of public resources as well as its negative impact on citizens’ enjoyment of economic and social rights;

Acknowledging the imperative of cross-border solidarity among human rights defenders and civil society orgnaisations to promote human rights;

Hereby resolve as follows:

• To revitalize and strengthen the African human rights movement by making it more dynamic and ensuring the participation of the masses of our peoples;
  
• To build a strong human rights-based network across the continent, comprising trade unions, human rights organisations, media organisations, and other civil society organisations;
  
• To mainstream gender in all human rights structures and approaches; and
  
• To strengthen youth and student movements across the continent as agents of change.
  
• To work together to challenge the serious violations of human and workers rights going on in specific African countries, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

We call on all other African governments to comply with their obligations and commitments under various national, regional and international human rights instruments to promote and protect democratic institutions, popular participation and the principles of good governance.


Done in Accra, Ghana, this Sunday, the 23rd day of November 2008


Source: Abdullai Kamara [abdullai824@yahoo.com]