Plan International - Girls' Rights Platform - Girls' rights are human rights: Positioning girls at the heart of the international agenda

1. Every young person shall have the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health.

2. States Parties shall undertake to pursue the full implementation of this right and in particular shall take measures to: k) Raise awareness amongst youth on the dangers of drug abuse through partnerships with youth, youth organisations and the community;

2. States Parties shall in particular: b) Ensure that accused minors shall be segregated from convicted persons and shall be subject to separate treatment appropriate to their status;

1. States Parties shall ensure the use of sustainable methods to improve the lives of young people such that measures instituted do not jeopardise opportunities for future generations.

2. States Parties shall in particular: e) Make provisions for the continued education and skills development of imprisoned young people as part of the restorative justice process.

2. States Parties shall undertake to pursue the full implementation of this right and in particular shall take measures to: m) Provide rehabilitation for young people abusing drugs such that they can be re-integrated into social and economic life;

2. States Parties shall in particular: a) Ensure that youth who are detained or imprisoned or in rehabilitation centres are not subjected to torture, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment;

2. States Parties shall in particular: f) Ensure that accused and convicted young people are entitled to a lawyer.

RECALLING the resolution of the Heads of State and government during the 1999 Algiers Summit for the development of the Pan-African Charter;

RECALLING the historic injustices imposed on Africa such as slavery, colonization, depletion of natural resources and taking into account the firm will of African peoples for self-determination and the economic integration of Africa;

GUIDED by the New Partnership for Africa's Development Strategic Framework for Youth Programme of 2004 that is working towards youth empowerment and development;

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION the inter-relatedness of the challenges facing youth and the need for cross-sectoral policies and programmes that attend to the needs of youth in a holistic manner;

Every young person shall have responsibilities towards his family and society, the State, and the international community. Youth shall have the duty to: b) Protect and work for family life and cohesion;

Every young person shall have responsibilities towards his family and society, the State, and the international community. Youth shall have the duty to: o) Protect the environment and conserve nature.

States Parties shall recognise the right of young people to live anywhere in the world. In this regard, they shall: e) Promote and protect the rights of young people living in the diaspora;

1. States Parties acknowledge the need to eliminate discrimination against girls and young women according to obligations stipulated in various international, regional and national human rights conventions and instruments designed to protect and promote women's rights. In this regard, they shall: m) Develop programmes of action that provide legal, physical and psychological support to girls and young women who have been subjected to violence and abuse such that they can fully re-integrate into social and economic life;

1. States Parties shall: Recognise the right of young people to a standard of living adequate for their holistic development.

2. An amendment shall be approved by a simple majority of the Member States. Such amendment shall come into force for each Member States that has ratified or acceded to it on the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

States Parties shall enact appropriate legislation to ensure that women and men enjoy the same rights in case of separation, divorce or annulment of marriage. In this regard, they shall ensure that: in case of separation, divorce or annulment of marriage, women and men shall have reciprocal rights and responsibilities towards their children. In any case, the interests of the children shall be given paramount importance;

5. Youth are determined to transform the continent in the fields of science and technology. Therefore they are committed to: b) Conducting research towards science and technology.

State Parties shall promote citizen participation in the development process through appropriate structures.

The Peace and Security Council shall lift sanctions once the situation that led to the suspension is resolved.

State Parties shall strive to institutionalize good political governance through: Consolidating sustainable multiparty political systems;

State Parties shall institutionalize good economic and corporate governance through, inter alia: Preventing and combating corruption and related offences;

The Commission shall: Act as the central coordinating structure for the implementation of this Charter;

No provision in this Convention shall be interpreted as affecting or undermining the right of internally displaced persons to seek and be granted asylum within the framework of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and to seek protection, as a refugee, within the purview of the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa or the 1951 U.N Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees as well as the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.

The African Union shall support the efforts of the States Parties to protect and assist internally displaced persons under this Convention. In particular, the Union shall: c. Collaborate with international organizations and humanitarian agencies, civil society organizations and other relevant actors in accordance with their mandates, to support measures taken by States Parties to protect and assist internally displaced persons.

States Parties shall: f. Guarantee the freedom of movement and choice of residence of internally displaced persons, except where restrictions on such movement and residence are necessary, justified and proportionate to the requirements of ensuring security for internally displaced persons or maintaining public security, public order and public health;

In view of the important role of youth in promoting peace and non-violence and the lasting physical and psychological scars that result from involvement in violence, armed conflict and war, States Parties shall: b) Institute mechanisms to promote a culture of peace and tolerance amongst young people that discourages their participation in acts of violence, terrorism, xenophobia, racial discrimination, gender-based discrimination, foreign occupation and trafficking in arms and drugs;