By Alfred Kollie
At celebrations marking Africa Human Rights Day, an official of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has called for the inclusion of young people at every stage in promoting and protecting human rights.
“When you don’t get young people involved, it is a recipe for disaster in any giving situation in society therefore do not leave out young people they are very important in society and the fight against human rights violation,‘’ said UNMIL rule of law advisor and political team leader for human rights and protection service, Sonny Onyegbula.
Onyebula was serving as keynote speaker on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at official ceremony in Monrovia, when Liberia joined other countries in Africa to celebrate Africa Human Rights day.
The day’s celebration in Monrovia took place at the William V.S Tubman High School in Sinkor. It was held under the theme, Enhancing Youth Contribution Towards Effective Implementation of the Action Plan for the Human and People’s Rights Decade Africa.
The UNMIL official called on young people on the continent of Africa to take the center stage in addressing issues affecting them especially on human rights violations.
‘’Young people in Africa are faced with unemployment, human rights abuses ,neglected by society, lack of education , proper health care is a challenge face young people in Liberia and Africa at large,’’ Onyegbula noted.
‘’We must bring to an end this problems and get young people involved in decision making process on the continent and in Liberia,’’ the UNMIL human rights chief explained.
On October 21, 1986, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights came into force as a right protection framework for Africa.
Since then, the day provides an opportunity to reflect, take stock and recommit to the solemn declaration undertaken by African leaders and people to promote and safeguard human and peoples’ rights on the continent.
The annual celebration aims to awaken consciences of all in Africa to know, understand and demand their fundamental human rights unabated.
The official program was organized by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).The program brought together youth groups, civil society organizations, Liberian government Ministries and agencies as well as other human rights institutions and development partners across the country.
The acting Chairman of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) Rev. Bartholomew B. Colley said the human the rights issue is not a black man’s idea but an idea that everyone should get involved with.
‘’The commission is not ready or prepare to sell the institution to any government or politicians for evil motive,’’ Colley said.
He said it is time for young people in Africa must stand for their rights and protect the rights of other in society.
‘’Young people must work for human rights, promote human rights and protect human rights in society for the betterment of all young people on the continent of Africa’’ the INCHR Boss noted.
The INCHR boss also commended all actors for the peaceful conduct of the October 10, 2017 just ended elections; cautions those actors to remain peaceful and in the ambit of the laws, but warned the NEC to correct all previous lapses pointed out during the elections.
In another development, the INCHR has expressed serious concern over the recent arson attack on journalist Smith Toby, OK FM Station Manger allegedly by unknown persons. The rights Commission views the attack “as a dangerous attempt to cow the press into self censorship and rollback the gains made on the protection of press freedom and freedom of expression in Liberia.”
The INCHR has therefore called on the Ministry of Justice and its relevant structures to speedily investigation and report on the incident and bring the doers of the act to justice, in order to serve as deterrence.