United Nations and African Charters on Human Rights – an introduction

UNITED NATIONS AND AFRICAN CHARTERS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
INTRODUCTION:

This Chapter is for the sake of those doubting Thomases who still believe that human rights are not enforceable or that human rights are restricted to the local scene. In this Chapter, I want to enlighten the reader that the issue of human rights goes well beyond the shores and borders of Nigeria. And, because of the importance attached to human and peoples’ rights, many international organizations, led by the United Nations have adopted Charters and Declarations on respect for human rights worldwide.

As you well know, the United Nations (UN) is the world body to which all nations belong. The Charter creating the UN stipulates that one of the purposes of the organization was to encourage and promote respect for human rights and freedom by all member-nations. Specifically, Article 55 of UN Charter provides as follows:

“With a view to the creation of conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the United Nations shall promote:

a. higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social progress and development;
b. solutions of international economic, social, health, and related problems; and international cultural and educational cooperation; and
c. universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”

With this provision, The UN became the forerunner in recognizing the fact that human rights must be respected universally.

Please be informed that human rights are God-given; they are in-born, natural and inalienable. Nobody can give you human rights as a gift because they were born with you. No government can “dash” you those rights. No government can decide which human rights you will be entitled to or otherwise. And nobody, no government can take away those rights on the basis of religion, ethnicity, creed or sex. Remember the late Fela’s song – “human rights na my property. You can’t dash me human rights.”