From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Human rights as a legal concept arrived in Africa relatively
late. The United Nations System, international law and the African
Union have certainly all contributed to the establishment of a
human rights system in Africa, which has positively and
indispensably impacted on the advancement of human rights and of
justice. Yet some of the promises made about such rights being
guaranteed under global, continental, regional and national legal
instruments have remained unfulfilled. [1]
The situation of human rights in Africa is generally reported to be
poor, and it is seen as an area of grave concern according to the
UN, governmental,
and non-governmental
observers.
Democratic
governments seem to be spreading, though are not yet the majority
(National Geographic claims 13 African
nations can be considered truly democratic). As well, many nations
have at least nominally recognized basic human rights for all
citizens, though in practice these are not always recognized, and
have created reasonably independent judiciaries.
Extensive human rights abuses still occur in several parts of
Africa, often under the oversight of the state. Most of such
violations occur for political reasons, often as a 'side-effect' of
civil war. Notable countries with reported major violations
include, but are not limited to, the Sudan, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Reported violations include extrajudicial execution, mutilation,
and rape.
The African
Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is an international
body which seeks to provide supranational
monitoring and rights to citizens of Africa.
By
country/entity
North
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
See also
References
- ^
Bösl, Anton & Diescho, Joseph (Eds), Human Rights in Africa.
Legal Perspectives on their Protection and Promotion, Macmillan
Education Namibia 2009
External
links
- Bösl, A and Diescho, J. (eds), Human Rights in Africa. Legal
Perspectives on their protection and promotion, Macmillan Education
Namibia, 2009 [1]
- U.S. State Department - Human Rights Annual
Reports