TRES/001/4/2012: Resolution on the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
We the participants at the NGO Forum preceding the 51st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 25th African Human Rights Book Fair held from 14th-16 April, 2012 in Banjul, The Gambia
Recalling the ACHPR’s mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling that economic, social and cultural rights are protected by the African Charter;
Recalling that economic, social and cultural rights are also protected by the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa as well as by international instruments ratified by many African States and in particular the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
Recalling the ACHPR’s Resolution ACHPR/Res.73 (XXXVI) 04 establishing a Working Group on Economic and Social Rights adopted at its 36th Ordinary Session, held from 23 November to 7 December 2004 in Dakar, Senegal;
Considering the ACHPR’s Principles and Guidelines on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Considering the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted on 10 December 2008;
Concerned with the lack of realization of economic, social and cultural rights across the African continent as well as with the lack of appropriate mechanisms at the national level to protect economic, social and cultural rights;
Acknowledging the challenges and constraints that preclude the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights in Africa;
The Forum for the participation of NGOs, calls on the ACHPR to adopt a resolution urging:
- States parties to the African Charter that have not done so to ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ;
- States to ratify the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR ;
- States to take immediate steps, individually and through international assistance and cooperation, to the maximum of their available resources to respect, protect and fulfil their obligations under these instruments.
Done in Banjul –16th April, 2012
