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Gambia News : African Commission chair condemns ‘politics of fear’
The chairperson of the African Commission on Human and People’s
Rights, Justice Sanji Mmasenno Monageng, on Saturday told participants
at the opening ceremony of the NGO forum on the activities of the
African Commission held in Banjul, that Africa is in the grip of
politics of fear where its ethnic and religious identities are being
manipulated in a struggle that do not belong to it.
She
remarked, “We are told that democracy is one of the answers. But we
know that liberal democracy has shown its limits in preventing and
addressing violence and ecological destruction.”
Justice Monageng said Africa is rapidly changing,
adding that even though there are little steps of progress, there are
still huge problems.
She added, “According to some figures, millions of
people in Africa suffer from chronic poverty. They live with hunger,
illness and injury; isolated from public services and social security
systems. They have lost their land to war or big capital investments.”
The acting Solicitor General and Legal Secretary for
The Gambia, Awa Bah, said while there has been marked progress in terms
of improving democracy and human rights in some areas in the continent,
a lot more remains to be done in other parts.
“Human rights violations continue on a day to day basis
in some parts of the continent. Some countries in the spotlight are
Mauritania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Somalia, Guinea Conakry and Guinea Bissau,
to name but a few,” she remarked.
She continued, “Africa therefore has a long way to go
in relation to its development and human rights record. Nevertheless, I
am optimistic that we shall overcome the hurdles if we inject more
spirit and commitment as well as believe in our dreams.”
The organizers of the forum said over 100 international
participants from 59 countries and representing 50 organizations are
attending the programme. They however said some of the participants
were unable to travel to Banjul owing to the recent suspension of
flights to The Gambia by Air Senegal.
4149 times read
- '“Human rights violations continue on a day to day basis in (...) Mauritania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Somalia, Guinea Conakry and Guinea Bissau, to name but a few,” she remarked."'
- She is so right. She could have named more, just by looking around.
(Posted on May 13, 2009, 1:56 AM Lamin Jallow)
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