International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) to Africa has called on the leadership of the African Union (AU) to intensify its efforts at promoting effective and quality human rights in Africa, in celebration of the AU day.

The Commission described the Day as legendary as the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) has transformed into the African Union, which encompasses the current capability to lead in the realization of the Agenda 2063 in the spirit of Pan Africanism.

It explained that the Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU now the AU) from its creation on May 25, 1963, in the fight against colonialism and apartheid. Additionally, IHRC stated that it is also to highlight the progress that Africa has made while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent faces in a global environment.

Contained in a statement to mark Africa Union Day today, May 25, 2023, the IHRC Ambassador, Abu Zein, extended his highest commendation to the Africa Union on the occasion of the celebration of Africa Day to mark the establishment of the continental Union since 25 May 1963.

“As Africa celebrates its Africa Day, I wish to humbly call on the leadership of the African Union to intensify its efforts at promoting effective and quality Human Rights in Africa and for Africans in the diaspora.”
Abu Zein

Celebrating AU Day in marking achievements of Africa

Mr Zein stated that the African Day is timely and commemorative since it affords the people of Africa and the leadership of the African Union to reflect on their past, document their achievements and prepare adequately for the future towards the realization of Agenda 2063.

“Human Rights can contribute immensely towards the achievements of the African Union hence together with my team at the International Human Rights Commission Africa Office pay glowing tribute to the establishment of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) with its secretariat headquartered in Banjul (Gambia).”
Abu Zein

Commenting on the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), the IHRC ambassador noted that it was established based on Article 30 of the Charter and was inaugurated in November 1987 is commissioned to interpret the Charter, as well as investigate individual complaints.

Furthermore, Mr Zein expressed that the African Charter is a human rights document made up of 68 articles carved up into four sections namely Human and Peoples’ Rights; Duties; Procedure of the Commission; and Applicable Principles.

“It merges the three clusters of rights, namely, civil and political rights, economic, social, and cultural rights, and group and people’s rights. It enforces obligations on individual members of each African society and connects the ideas of human rights, people’s rights, and duties on people.”
Abu Zein

Subsequently, the IHRC ambassador assured the AU of of its unflinching support and a strong collaboration between the International Human Rights Commission, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and the African Union to accelerate a progressive and prosperous Africa.

“Permit me to express my deepest of wishes to the African People as we celebrate the milestones achieved towards continental unity and human advancement.”
Abu Zein

May 25th, 1963 marked a defining moment in Africa’s history – the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which we know today as the African Union (AU).

Sixty years later, Africans are honouring this pivotal anniversary with grandeur.

The theme for this year’s commemorative is encapsulated under the rallying cry, “Our Africa, Our Future”. It’s meant to celebrate Africa’s steadfast journey of unity, progress, and shared dreams.

The Agenda is the continent’s “blueprint and master plan” for transforming Africa into a “global powerhouse of the future”.

The AU said: “It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the Pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance”.

“The genesis of Agenda 2063 was the realisation by African leaders that there was a need to refocus and reprioritise Africa’s agenda from the struggle against apartheid and the attainment of political independence… to prioritise inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security.”
African Union