STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. AISHA L. ABDULLAHI
COMMISSIONER FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 5TH AU-EU CSOs SEMINAR ON DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

DELIVERED ON HER BEHALF BY
AMBASSADOR SALAH S. HAMMAD
SENIOR HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT

22 NOVEMBER 2015
KIGALI, RWANDA

Distinguished Members of the European Union Delegation

Distinguished Members of the African Union Delegation

Distinguished Representatives of the African and European CSOs

Ladies and Gentlemen

I feel highly honoured and privileged to be here with you today and to have the opportunity to deliver this statement at the closing ceremony of the fifth AU-EU CSOs Seminar on Democratic Governance and Human Rights held here in this beautiful city of Kigali. I wish to take this opportunity to extend warm fraternal greetings to you all for participating in this important meeting.

At the outset, on behalf of Commissioner for Political Affairs, H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi and my personal behalf, I would like to express our profound appreciation to the Government of Rwanda for accepting to host this meeting, which is taking place prior to the 11th AU-EU Human Rights Dialogue due to be held on 24 November 2015 here in Kigali. We are grateful for the hospitality demonstrated and the warm welcome accorded to the African Union Delegation. I also wish to thank European Union for supporting the organization of this round of dialogue between the African and European CSOs.

This CSOs Seminar, which the first to be held outside of the two political capitals, Addis Ababa and Brussels, discussed mainly issues related to Freedom of Expression in Africa and in Europe. As we all know, Freedom of Expression as a human right is enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and it’s indeed part and parcel of African Shared Values. And through freedom of expression, many other rights will be secured and protected.

Therefore, it is our hopes and wishes that during this meeting agreements were reached and decisions were taken to enrich and enhance our continental cooperation to advocate for freedom of expression as a basic human rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen:

The protection and promotion of Human Rights are keys for sustainable development on the continent and are an integral part of the AU’s core values. The human rights agenda has for sometimes been a priority for Member States of the African Union and has been articulated as a priority at a number of international and regional fora. The principles and objectives of the AU’s Constitutive Act of 2000 emphasises the need to promote and protect human rights on the continent.

On another hand, our commitment to the AU-EU Human Rights Dialogue is a testament of affirmation to the joint efforts to promote and protect human rights in Africa and in Europe. So far, the human rights situation in Africa is encouraging; however, one cannot deny that Africa is at a critical juncture. Almost seven decades after the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and almost three decades after the adoption of the African Charter on Peoples and Human rights, we are grappling with the gap that exists between the human rights vision that we sought to establish and the reality that confronts us day after day.

How Africa will close the human rights gap is an important policy priority that would determine how much Africa will own its destiny and chart a development course for its people. In a global political economy where the line between starvation, subsistence and wealth is most often define civic liberty, there is no doubt the African Human Rights System provides a robust basis for Africa’s renewal.

Closing Africa’s human rights gap is the sole responsibility of the African Union and its Member States. Therefore, and through collective actions, the AUC, together with AU Organs with a human rights mandate and other stakeholders adopted the Human Rights Strategy for Africa in 2011 as a measure to enhance the African human rights agenda. This process is evidence that there is a wide recognition of the fact that human rights promotion and protection is a priority for Africa and the African people.

Also, it is important to highlight the participation of the African CSOs in the efforts to promote and protect human rights in Africa. The African Union is a people-centered institution and ECOSOCC, the Parliament African CSOs, is an organ of the Union intends to provide advisory opinions and support the work of the AUC for a unite and prosperous Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate ourselves on the Resolution by UNESCO on 17 November 2015 declaring September 28th “International Day for Universal Access to Information.” This decision was sponsored by Angola, Nigeria and Morocco and campaigned African civil society organisations in close collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

I also wish to congratulate all African for the Decision by our Heads of State and Government to declare 2016 as the Year of Human Rights in Africa with Special Focus on the Rights of Women. The declaration of 2016 as "African Year of Human Rights with Special Focus on the Rights of Women” provides an opportunity for the entire continent to take stock of the human rights situation on the continent in general, and the rights of women in particular.

The vision of a peaceful, united and prosperous Africa set out in Agenda 2063 can be achieved through sound planning and results-oriented policies and actions. Our Heads of State and Government as the Continent’s new long-term vision for the next 50 years have adopted the African Union Agenda 2063. The realization of our common vision of a united and prosperous Africa anchored on a culture of human rights as envisaged by Agenda 2063 requires our common resolve. Our gathering here today is evidence of our collective dedication and commitment to this goal.

Once again, I would like on behalf of the African Union Commission to express our appreciation to the Government of Rwanda for hosting this Seminar and to the European Union for making all possible efforts to organize this very important meeting, and I can conclude before thanking each and everyone of you for making time out of your busy schedules to participate in this AU-EU CSOs Seminar on Democratic Governance and Human Rights. Both AU and EU Commissions are looking forward to receiving your recommendations on 24 November 2015 during the Official AU-EU Human Rights Dialogue.

I thank you for your kind attention.