What if there was no human rights in Africa: the musing of a human rights scholar

Abstract

This assignment explores the utility of human rights in Africa with a view to showing its relevance to effective governance in the continent. Using secondary data from relevant literature, textbooks and govern documents and publication, it posits that although, there could be many challenges facing the human rights communities globally and in Africa as well as the inherent inadequacies in its implementation, pursuit of human rights has to some extent assisted in maintaining some form of decorum, sanity, orderliness, peace and development in the continent. This is ensured by the establishment of institutions and special organs and machineries devoted to the promotion and protection of human rights as well as the existence of a vibrant civil society to ensure that human rights abuses do not occur. It conclude that the situation in Africa would have been worsened and disastrous without human rights and recommends some measures for guaranteeing successful implementation and strengthening of human rights in the continent in a way that it will protect the citizens, instil and develop in them and their leaders alike a culture that is respectful of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Keywords: civil society, culture, decorum, governance, sanity, peace and development