Observing Human Rights is fundamental

Africa Human Rights Day will be commemorated today in The Gambia.

The day is set aside by the African Union to commemorate the entry into force in 1986 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

This year, Africa Human Rights Day will be celebrated across the continent in a variety of ways.

The theme for this year's celebration is: "Realizing Human Rights: A key to Achieving Sustainable Peace in Africa".

In The Gambia, a series of activities have been planned. The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, in collaboration with the National Council for Civic Education, will organise an art exhibition depicting themes within human rights for senior secondary schools in The Gambia. Selected secondary schools from the Greater Banjul area have been asked to submit not more than one artwork from children in each of their schools.

The drawings or artwork will be displayed for two days, and the beauty about the art exhibition is that the first three entries will win prizes, and there will be consolation packages for others as well.

Another good thing about the exhibition is that the NGO community in The Gambia, alongside the facilitators of the art exhibition, will conduct a pictorial display and a book exhibition about the work of various human rights bodies, NGOs and institutions in The Gambia.

A human rights musical concert will also be staged by schoolchildren at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, and the participating schools will be the SOS School and SBEC International School.

The African Commission, through the activities and events, aims at sensitising the public on the rights enshrined in the African Charter and the functions and activities of the African Commission, as well as inculcating in the youth the spirit of fair play.

We, therefore, seize this opportunity to congratulate the African Commission for the day, and for always putting human right issues on top of the commission's agenda.

Observing human rights is fundamental to society, as it safeguards peace and justice, which is insurance for our lives and property.