ACDHRS celebrates International Human Rights Day

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By SHERIFF SAIDYKHAN

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, ACDHRS in partnership with the civil society organizations has join the rest of the world to commemorate International Human Rights Day with the theme, ‘’Youths Standing up for Human Rights’’.

Speaking at the event held at Paradise Suits Hotel, Hannah Forster Director of African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights said their cardinal objective is to devise strategies, geared towards ending the scourges of human rights violations across the continent.

She further commended youth for their active participation, in the fight to end all forms of degrading human rights violations. ‘’The youth are taking their rightful role to end human rights violations.

A few years ago, the AU dedicated the year to the youth, harnessing the power of the youth and to make sure that they contribute their quota to the development of their countries,’’ she remarked.

She further calls on authorities to revisit mitigation strategies on gross human rights violations and to foster cooperation with CSOs in the march to attain equitable justice for all and sundry.

“Over 80 per cent of the world is living in authoritarian societies. So if these countries are living in or operating in a closed society, in an obstructed society where people are oppressed, it will be difficult for civil society to do their work effectively,” she said.

Madi Jobarteh, also speaking at the event said civic space has been shrinking for the past years, due to repressive colonial laws.

He added that civic society plays a pivotal role in strengthening democracy.

“Civic space enables us to gather and assemble, and to express our views so that we hold government accountable.”