The following was written by ASFL chairperson Linda Kavuka

As the world marks the International Human Rights Day, the challenges to rights Africans face are myriad: Terrorism, child slavery, oppression, domestic violence and war. These age-long issues have not waned even as human civilization has progressed.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights defines Human Rights as rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Sadly, Africa is still home to many dictators who rule with the clench of their fists. The continent has seen genocides in the East, West and Central regions. It has seen states overtaken by rebels. It has seen millions of people displaced as a result of civil wars, and thousands dead at sea. Young boys forced into being child soldiers to fight wars they do not understand. Young girls and women have been kidnapped, raped and made sex slaves to the rebels.
A cursory look at the various challenges faced on the continent leaves much to be desired.

In Burundi, the failed coup attempt of 13^th March this year intensified opposition to the president’s bid to rule for a third term. Elections were held in June and the sitting president was declared the “winner”. The past months have seen thousands of Burundians fleeing to neighboring Tanzania. Killings have been reported in the country, and witnesses say that bodies are being left on the streets. The world is watching as an impending genocide threatens to once again strike the country.

Local and international journalists are on the run in Ethiopia. The country does not have an independent press. Journalists, who have raised their voice to speak against government policies, are cuffed, and put behind bars. They are tagged as traitors when they speak ‘ill’ of government’s actions.  ASFL local coordinator Bezawit Tesfaye argues against the restriction of private media in Ethiopia.

African governments are on the hunt for gays. In 2013, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill that forbids LGBTIs on the streets. The ‘Jail All the Gays’ law bans gay marriage, prohibits anyone from forming organisations supporting LGBTI rights and sets up prison terms of up to 14 years. Individuals and state institutions, including the police force, use the law to intimidate and harass citizens based on their sexual orientation. In ten African countries, homosexuality is punishable by death and is illegal in twenty more.

Abayomi Odewale writes on a frivolous petition bill about social media currently generating heat in Nigeria. The bill seeks a two-year jail term for any person who makes allegation or publishes any statement or petition in the newspaper, radio or medium of whatever description against another person, institutions of government or any public office holder. The bill also prescribed that anybody or group of persons who send any false text message or post false message on the social media against another person shall be jailed for two years upon conviction by the law court.

These are just few among other abuses rocking Africa’s ship. Burundi, South Sudan, Somali, Eritrea, others are examples of countries that are ravaged, and constantly in our prayers. More than enough lives have been lost to these crises. Africa needs to rise above the bloodshed, the war, the abuse, the tribal conflict, the corruption, the poverty that pulls it behind.

The continent needs to set new agenda that will allow for respect of individual freedom, press; new policies that will guarantee safety and human flourishing. This is when things will change for the better.