6. ACHPR /Recom.4(V)89: Recommendation on Modalities for Promoting Human and Peoples’ Rights (1989)

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting in its Fifth Ordinary Session in Benghazi, Libya, from 3 to 14 April 1989;

Taking into account Resolution AHG/Res.176 (XXIV) adopted by the Twenty-fourth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May 1988, approving the Activity Report of the Commission, its programme and the attached recommendations:

RECOMMENDS that the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU adopt the following recommendations:

“The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU meeting …..
Recalling that the African States “firmly convinced of their duty to ensure the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights and freedoms, duly taking into account the primary importance traditionally attached to these rights and freedoms in Africa” adopted in Nairobi on 28 June 1981, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which came into force on 21 October 1986;

Taking into account Resolution AHG/Res. 176 (XXIV) adopted by the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in May 1988, approving the Activity Report of the Commission, its programmes and the attached recommendations;

Aware of the fact that ignorance is the main obstacle to the respect for human and peoples’ rights and that consequently it is necessary to promote the knowledge and the science of these rights and freedoms in the interest of the African people pursuant to Article 45 paragraph 1 (a) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights:
RECOMMENDS that African States parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights:

(i) introduce the teaching of human and peoples’ rights at all levels of their educational systems (higher, secondary, primary, general, technical, professional, etc.);

(ii) periodically broadcast, with the help of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, radio and television programmes on human rights in Africa;

(iii) establish national and regional institutes of human and peoples’ rights responsible for conducting studies and researches in co-operation with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and for disseminating the knowledge and information on human and peoples’ rights.”