STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. AISHA L. ABDULLAHI (AMB.

) COMMISSIONER FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 3RD CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON THE AFRICAN UNION HUMAN RIGHTS MEMORIAL (AU HRM)

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA 11 APRIL 2013

Mr. Chairperson Excellencies Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives Distinguished Experts and Representatives of CSOs Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and my own personal behalf I wish to welcome you to this 3rd Consultative Meeting on the African Union Human Rights Memorial. This Memorial Site is meant to serve as a reminder that never again shall we allow violations of human rights and horrendous calamities, caused by man against man to happen. I also would like to note with appreciation that some of you have come from far to be part of this historical process and to contribute to this discussion on a subject of critical importance for the promotion and protection of Human Rights on our beloved continent. The African Human Rights System with its various instruments and mechanisms paved the way for the advancement of human rights promotion and protection in Africa. It also led to the creation of strategic measures to accelerate the attainment of respect for human rights, gender equality and womens empowerment on the continent. The value of the African Union Human Rights Instruments and Mechanisms rests on their recognition and acceptance by Member States and indeed they may be seen as declaratory of broadly accepted goals and principles within Africa. The promotion and protection of human and peoples rights in Africa is a collective responsibility. Whilst we have a propensity to emphasize the role and responsibilities of our Member States, we cannot and should not forget to remind ourselves that our success hinges on building wider ownership and ensuring that the burden of responsibility and actions is shared across all sectors of our societies. Building a culture of human rights and establishing the respect for peoples rights as a natural element of people to people engagements, requires that the human rights we all talk about be internalized by each and every individual. It is after all, most often, at the level of individual interactions that rights are infringed upon. In as much as our

humanism is best reflected in our interactions with others, our exercise of rights must also be predicated on our respect for the rights of others. Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates As we move ahead with the agenda of the continental integration based on African Shared Values, it is important to reflect on best practices and lessons learnt so far, and one of those lessons is that the respect for human rights is an important element towards the attainment of peace and sustainable development. Equally important is the fact that achieving peace and security is premised on a culture of respect for human rights, but above all, the promotion and protection of human rights is a collective responsibility. In the same vein, the African Union Commission is monitoring the human rights situations in Mali, Central African Republic, Guinea Bissau and other parts of the Continent. In fact and for the first time in the history of the AU, a human rights observers mission has been deployed to Mali as part of AFISMA, the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Mali. Dear Participants, This Consultation is taking place as we prepare for the forthcoming AU Summit, which be marking the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of the African Unity (OAU) and celebrating our Pan Africanism and African Renaissance. The Consultation also comes after the foundation stone for the memorial site has been laid down by our Heads of State and Government last year on the site which has its own significance, as it is the former central prison, known as Alem Bekagn, which was the location of the 1936 Graziani Massacre, the execution of sixty ministers in the Government of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974, and the imprisonment, torture and execution of thousands of Ethiopians during the days of the Derg Regime, especially the Red Terror atrocities of 1977-78. Therefore, I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the AUC to work closely with Member States, partners and other stakeholders complete the building of this memorial site, which is a matter of continental importance. It is indeed

a reminder and recognition of a dark past; an affirmation of the resolve to respect the dignity of humankind; and a commitment to prevent future recurrence of such acts. It is my earnest hope that this meeting will deliberate and review the actual situation on the ground, the status of the interim board and come up with a set of recommendations on how to incorporate this process into the work plan of the Department of Political Affairs as well as establishing the necessary linkages between the interim board and the existing structure of the AUC. I wish you successful deliberations and thank you for your kind attention. Rest

assured that your recommendation will be duly attended to and not to mention that AU is open to extend its support as deemed necessary.

I thank you.