The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on Monday observed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with commendation of the media for its active role in the protection of human rights, which it adjudged as a collective responsibility.
“The world cannot attain the tenets of Universal Declarations of Human Rights without the active involvement of the media, whether we are Judges, Litigants, Applicants, Respondent States, and Civil Society Organisation or friends of human rights system.
“The responsibility of an Africa that is respectful of human rights and endowed with a rule of law culture is incumbent on us all. Such responsibility behoves however in a very special way on civil society and media professionals,” Justice Sylvain Ore, African Court President stated in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.
Justice Ore noted that as the world marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on the general theme; “Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity,” one cannot think of life-changing human rights advocacy without an innovative involvement of civil society and the media.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted on December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and this year marks the 70th anniversary of that proclamation of the inalienable rights, which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being.
The inalienable rights states: regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, which we are all entitled.
Justice Ore therefore called on civil society and the media to continue to support the African Court after contributing successfully to its establishment. “Civil society and the media’s contribution to the development of the African Court’s relevant jurisprudence has unfortunately remained at its embryonic state,” Justice Ore stated.
The African Court President noted and acknowledged the critical role that bears on civil society and the media in supporting submission of cases to the African Court. He tasked civil society and the media to assist in disseminating the African Court’s judgments at the national level, and provide States with the assistance needed to effectively enforce the decisions.