Human Rights Institutions collaborate to mark African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights anniversary

A series of activities will be organised to mark the 40th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, observed annually on 21 October, to raise public awareness of fundamental rights and the institutions responsible for protecting them.

The Ombudsperson for Children, Mrs Aneeta Ghoorah, announced this initiative at a press conference held yesterday in Ebène, in presence of representatives of the four national human rights institutions, namely the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as well as a representative of the University of Mauritius.

The activities include an academic conference on 21 October 2026 at the Middlesex University, and an open day at Bagatelle Mall on 23 October 2026 to inform and sensitise the public about their rights.

In her address, Mrs Ghoorah highlighted that the activities would be organised jointly by the four human rights institutions to strengthen collaboration and better raise awareness of human rights. She stressed the importance of informing the public about the respective roles of these institutions and where to seek assistance in cases of human rights violations.

Referring to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, she described it as a fundamental instrument for the protection of human rights on the African continent. The Charter plays a vital role in upholding human dignity, combating discrimination, and promoting justice and equality, she added.

She further noted that the day provides an opportunity to reflect on current challenges and translate commitments to human rights into concrete actions, particularly for the benefit of vulnerable groups.

Addressing the theme of “Water, Sanitation and Human Dignity”, Mrs Ghoorah recalled that access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities is essential to safeguarding children’s rights and dignity. She also underlined the importance of ensuring that children with disabilities have access to appropriate facilities and services. She reaffirmed her Office's commitment to promoting and protecting children’s fundamental rights.

According to the Deputy Chairperson of the NHRC, Mrs Melany Nagen, bringing the four institutions together is essential to strengthening their collective efforts to protect the population. She noted that, although each institution has a distinct mandate, their roles are complementary, making collaboration crucial to raising public awareness and improving access to protection mechanisms.

The African Charter, said the Chairperson of the EOC, Mrs Carolyn Desvaux de Marigny, serves as a key instrument for promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms across the continent. She expressed confidence that the planned activities would help the public better understand their rights and become more familiar with the mandates and services of the respective institutions.

The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Charter), also called the Banjul Charter, was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments of the Organisation of African Unity predecessor to the African Union in 1981 and entered into force five years later in 1986. The Charter covers a wider range of rights than either the European Convention on Human Rights or the American Convention on Human Rights, including both individual and collective rights.

20 October 2026

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Topics: Human Rights