Resolution on the State of Child Labour, Trafficking, and Slavery in Africa
We the participants at the Forum on the participation of NGOs in the 32nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and the 6th Human Rights Book Fair held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul, from October 14th-16th, 2002
Recalling the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, under which the State Parties committed themselves to promote and protect the rights, welfare and development of the African child,
Recalling the provisions of Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the mandate of the African Commission to ensure the protection and promotion of human and peoples’ rights in the region,
Noting with serious concern the unabated trafficking of children for cheap labour, slavery, prostitution and cultural rituals in some African countries,
Recognising the role of children in the future of communities, countries, and Africa,
Conscious of the fact that children represent the most vulnerable segment of society and requires as an absolute priority, immediate and effective measures to halt these egregious violations,
Hereby urge the Commission to:
- Constitute a commission of inquiry into these violations.
- Ensure that State Parties effectively implement the relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, as well as other international instruments, especially the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in order to enforce the rights and security of the African child.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia 16th October 2002
