Top UN rights official pledges support for strengthening Africa's human rights system

Marking the anniversary of the entry into force of a key civil liberties accord for Africa, the top United Nations human rights official today pledged support for the continent's pursuit of "dignity, equality and security."

In a message commemorating African Human Rights Day, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, said that much has been achieved in the struggle for human rights in Africa since the adoption two decades ago of the African Charter, but a great deal more remains to be done.

The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and the proposed Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa are among the outstanding issues that need to be addressed, Mr. Vieira de Mello said, pledging his Office's continued support for strengthening the African human rights system, especially the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

He noted that the role of his Office, as the UN's system-wide focal point for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, is to be a catalyst and encourage and coordinate efforts to secure worldwide respect for human rights and justice.

"This commemoration should serve as an occasion for recognizing the long and enduring struggles of African people to achieve dignity, equality and security, the cornerstones of human rights and effective and harmonious relationships between people," he said.