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

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: a) Strengthen the capacity of young people and youth organisations in peace building, conflict prevention and conflict resolution through the promotion of intercultural learning, civic education, tolerance, human rights education and democracy, mutual respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, the importance of dialogue and cooperation, responsibility, solidarity and international cooperation;

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

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.

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

1. States Parties of the African Union to the present Charter shall recognize the rights, freedoms and duties enshrined in this Charter.

2. Young people shall not be compelled to belong to an association.

REAFFIRMING that the continuous cultural development of Africa rests with its youth and therefore requires their active and enlightened participation as espoused in the Cultural Charter for Africa;

1. Every State Parties shall develop a comprehensive and coherent national youth policy. e) The policy shall provide guidelines on the definition of youth adopted and specify subgroups that shall be targeted for development;

RECALLING that women's rights have been recognised and guaranteed in all international human rights instruments, notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and its Optional Protocol, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and all other international and regional conventions and covenants relating to the rights of women as being inalienable, interdependent and indivisible human rights;

1. Every young person shall be assured the right to express his or her ideas and opinions freely in all matters and to disseminate his or her ideas and opinions subject to the restrictions as are prescribed by laws.

1. The family, as the most basic social institution, shall enjoy the full protection and support of States Parties for its establishment and development noting that the structure and form of families varies in different social and cultural contexts.

2. Recognise the right of young people to be free from hunger and shall take individual or collective measures to: c) Provide grants of land to youth and youth organisations for socio- economic development purposes;

States Parties shall recognise the right of young people to live anywhere in the world. In this regard, they shall: a) Promote the equivalence of degrees between African educational institutions to enable the youth to study and work in State Parties;

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: b) Ensure that girls and young women are able to participate actively, equally and effectively with boys at all levels of social, educational, economic, political, cultural, civic life and leadership as well as scientific endeavours;

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.

1. Every young person shall have the right to gainful employment.

State Parties shall entrench the principle of the supremacy of the constitution in the political organization of the State.

State Parties shall ensure that the independence or autonomy of the said institutions is guaranteed by the constitution.

Recognising the contributions of the African Union and Regional Economic Communities to the promotion, nurturing, strengthening and consolidation of democracy and governance;

Cognizant of the historical and cultural conditions in Africa;

In this Charter, unless otherwise stated, the following expressions shall have the following meaning: “AU” means the African Union;

The objectives of this Charter are to: Promote and protect the independence of the judiciary;

State Parties shall strive to institutionalize good political governance through: Harmonious relationships in society including civil-military relations;

State Parties shall institutionalize good economic and corporate governance through, inter alia: Promoting transparency in public finance management;

State Parties shall institutionalize good economic and corporate governance through, inter alia: Providing a conducive environment for foreign capital inflows;

State Parties shall undertake to provide and enable access to basic social services to the people.

1.States Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for the present Convention. In particular, States Parties shall: Promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods amongst internally displaced persons, provided that such measures shall not be used as a basis for neglecting the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons, without prejudice to other means of assistance;

States Parties shall provide sufficient protection and assistance to internally displaced persons, and where available resources are inadequate to enable them to do so, they shall cooperate in seeking the assistance of international organizations and humanitarian agencies, civil society organizations and other relevant actors. Such organizations may offer their services to all those in need.

States Parties shall protect the rights of internally displaced persons regardless of the cause of displacement by refraining from, and preventing, the following acts, amongst others: Sexual and gender based violence in all its forms, notably rape, enforced prostitution, sexual exploitation and harmful practices, slavery, recruitment of children and their use in hostilities, forced labour and human trafficking and smuggling; and

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;

For the purpose of the present Protocol: f) Discrimination against women means any distinction, exclusion or restriction or any differential treatment based on sex and whose objectives or effects compromise or destroy the recognition, enjoyment or the exercise by women, regardless of their marital status, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in all spheres of life;

NOTING with concern the situation of African youth, many of whom are marginalized from mainstream society through inequalities in income, wealth and power, unemployment and underemployment, infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, living in situations of poverty and hunger, experiencing illiteracy and poor quality educational systems, restricted access to health services and to information, exposure to violence including gender violence, engaging in armed conflicts and experiencing various forms of discrimination;

States Parties shall adopt and enforce legislative and other measures to guarantee women equal opportunities in work and career advancement and other economic opportunities. In this respect, they shall: k) recognise and enforce the right of salaried women to the same allowances and entitlements as those granted to salaried men for their spouses and children;

1. States Parties shall combat all forms of discrimination against women through appropriate legislative, institutional and other measures. In this regard they shall: a) include in their national constitutions and other legislative instruments, if not already done, the principle of equality between women and men and ensure its effective application;

When a situation arises in a State Party that may affect its democratic political institutional arrangements or the legitimate exercise of power, the Peace and Security Council shall exercise its responsibilities in order to maintain the constitutional order in accordance with relevant provisions of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, hereinafter referred to as the Protocol.

1. States Parties shall take specific positive action to promote participative governance and the equal participation of women in the political life of their countries through affirmative action, enabling national legislation and other measures to ensure that: a) women participate without any discrimination in all elections;

To give effect to the commitments contained in this Charter: Individual State Party Level State Parties commit themselves to implement the objectives, apply the principles and respect the commitments enshrined in this Charter as follows: State Parties shall initiate appropriate measures including legislative, executive and administrative actions to bring State Parties’ national laws and regulations into conformity with this Charter;

Women shall have the right to fully enjoy their right to sustainable development. In this connection, the States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: b) ensure participation of women at all levels in the conceptualisation, decision-making, implementation and evaluation of development policies and programmes;

The objectives of this Convention are to: Provide for the respective obligations, responsibilities and roles of armed groups, non-state actors and other relevant actors, including civil society organizations, with respect to the prevention of internal displacement and protection of, and assistance to, internally displaced persons;

1.States Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for the present Convention. In particular, States Parties shall: Ensure the accountability of non-State actors concerned, including multinational companies and private military or security companies, for acts of arbitrary displacement or complicity in such acts;

States Parties shall protect the rights of internally displaced persons regardless of the cause of displacement by refraining from, and preventing, the following acts, amongst others: Discrimination against such persons in the enjoyment of any rights or freedoms on the grounds that they are internally displaced persons;

States Parties shall: e. Respect and ensure the right to seek safety in another part of the State and to be protected against forcible return to or resettlement in any place where their life, safety, liberty and/or health would be at risk;

States Parties shall ensure that internally displaced persons shall be issued with relevant documents necessary for the enjoyment and exercise of their rights, such as passports, personal identification documents, civil certificates, birth certificates and marriage certificates.

International organizations and humanitarian agencies shall be bound by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence of humanitarian actors, and ensure respect for relevant international standards and codes of conduct.

Members of armed groups shall be prohibited from: h. Attacking or otherwise harming humanitarian personnel and resources or other materials deployed for the assistance or benefit of internally displaced persons and shall not destroy, confiscate or divert such materials; and

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: e. Share information with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the situation of displacement, and the protection and assistance accorded to internally displaced persons in Africa; and,

States Parties shall: c. Provide special protection for and assistance to internally displaced persons with special needs, including separated and unaccompanied children, female heads of households, expectant mothers, mothers with young children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities or with communicable diseases;

Women shall have the right to fully enjoy their right to sustainable development. In this connection, the States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: e) take into account indicators of human development specifically relating to women in the elaboration of development policies and programmes; and

All persons have a right to be protected against arbitrary displacement. The prohibited categories of arbitrary displacement include but are not limited to: Displacement as a result of harmful practices;

Women and men are equal before the law and shall have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure: that law enforcement organs at all levels are equipped to effectively interpret and enforce gender equality rights;

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures with a view to achieving full realisation of this right to gainful employment and shall in particular: e) Implement appropriately-timed career guidance for youth as part of the schooling and post-schooling education system;

BEARING IN MIND the international Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights relating to the Rights of Women in Africa (2003) and the progress achieved in eliminating gender discrimination, but ever cognisant of the obstacles that still prevent girls and women from fully participating in African society;

1. Every State Parties shall develop a comprehensive and coherent national youth policy. i) A national youth coordinating mechanism shall be set up and shall provide a platform as well as serve as a linking agent for youth organisations to participate in youth policy development as well as the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of related programmes;

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures with a view to achieving full realisation of this right and shall, in particular: i) Allocate resources to upgrade the quality of education delivered and ensure that it is relevant to the needs of contemporary society and engenders critical thinking rather than rote learning;

NOTING that women's rights and women's essential role in development, have been reaffirmed in the United Nations Plans of Action on the Environment and Development in 1992, on Human Rights in 1993, on Population and Development in 1994 and on Social Development in 1995;

2. States Parties shall take the following measures to promote active youth participation in society: They shall: j) Include youth representatives as part of delegations to ordinary sessions and other relevant meetings to broaden channels of communication and enhance the discussion of youth related issues.

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures with a view to achieving full realisation of this right and shall, in particular: e) Revitalise vocational education and training relevant to current and prospective employment opportunities and expand access by developing centres in rural and remote areas;

BEARING IN MIND related Resolutions, Declarations, Recommendations, Decisions, Conventions and other Regional and Sub-Regional Instruments aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination and at promoting equality between women and men;

For the purpose of the present Protocol: c) Assembly means the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union;

For the purpose of the present Protocol: k) “Women” means persons of female gender, including girls;

For the purpose of the present Protocol: b) "African Commission" means the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights;

For the purpose of the present Protocol: i) States Parties means the States Parties to this Protocol;

3. States Parties shall: d) Provide access to information and education and training for young people to learn their rights and responsibilities, to be schooled in democratic processes, citizenship, decision-making, governance and leadership such that they develop the technical skills and confidence to participate in these processes;

CONSIDERING that Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights enshrines the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status;

2. States Parties recognise that the shift towards a knowledge-based economy is dependent on information and communication technology which in turn has contributed towards a dynamic youth culture and global consciousness. In this regard, they shall: b) Encourage the local production of and access to information and communication technology content;

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: j) Offer equal access to young women to employment and promote their participation in all sectors of employment;

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the increased participation of women: a) in programmes of education for peace and a culture of peace;

2. States Parties shall ensure increased and effective representation and participation of women at all levels of decision-making.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the increased participation of women: e) in all aspects of planning, formulation and implementation of post conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation.

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: n) Secure the right for young women to maternity leave.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the increased participation of women: b) in the structures and processes for conflict prevention, management and resolution at local, national, regional, continental and international levels;

States Parties shall, in accordance with the obligations incumbent upon them under the international humanitarian law, protect civilians including women, irrespective of the population to which they belong, in the event of armed conflict.

States Parties shall adopt and enforce legislative and other measures to guarantee women equal opportunities in work and career advancement and other economic opportunities. In this respect, they shall: a) promote equality of access to employment;

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: c) protect and enable the development of women’s indigenous knowledge systems;

States Parties shall take appropriate legal measures to ensure that widows enjoy all human rights through the implementation of the following provisions: a) that widows are not subjected to inhuman, humiliating or degrading treatment;

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: e) ensure that proper standards are followed for the storage, transportation and disposal of toxic waste.

Every young person shall have responsibilities towards his family and society, the State, and the international community. Youth shall have the duty to: f) Contribute to the promotion of the economic development of States Parties and Africa by placing their physical and intellectual abilities at its service;

The African Union Commission shall ensure that States Parties respect the commitments made and fulfil the duties outlined in the present Charter by; c) Instituting measures to create awareness of its activities and make information on its activities more readily available and accessible to youth;

The objectives of this Charter are to: Promote and enhance adherence to the principle of the rule of law premised upon the respect for, and the supremacy of, the Constitution and constitutional order in the political arrangements of the State Parties;

a) provide women with access to clean drinking water, sources of domestic fuel, land, and the means of producing nutritious food;

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to: a) ensure greater participation of women in the planning, management and preservation of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources at all levels;

3. The Chairperson of the Commission of the AU shall notify all Member States of the coming into force of this Protocol.

State Parties shall implement this Charter in accordance with the following principles: Access to and exercise of state power in accordance with the constitution of the State Party and the principle of the rule of law;

State Parties undertake to implement programmes and carry out activities designed to promote democratic principles and practices as well as consolidate a culture of democracy and peace. To this end, State Parties shall: Promote good governance by ensuring transparent and accountable administration.

State Parties re-affirm their commitment to regularly holding transparent, free and fair elections in accordance with the Union’s Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa. To this end, State Parties shall: Establish and strengthen independent and impartial national electoral bodies responsible for the management of elections.

State Parties agree that the use of, inter alia, the following illegal means of accessing or maintaining power constitute an unconstitutional change of government and shall draw appropriate sanctions by the Union: Any putsch or coup d’Etat against a democratically elected government.

Given the enduring and vital role of traditional authorities, particularly in rural communities, the State Parties shall strive to find appropriate ways and means to increase their integration and effectiveness within the larger democratic system.

The Assembly shall impose sanctions on any Member State that is proved to have instigated or supported unconstitutional change of government in another state in conformity with Article 23 of the Constitutive Act.

State Parties shall take all possible measures to encourage the full and active participation of women in the electoral process and ensure gender parity in representation at all levels, including legislatures.

In order to advance political, economic and social governance, State Parties shall commit themselves to: Preventing the spread and combating the impact of diseases such as Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Ebola fever, and Avian Flu.

State Parties shall promote and deepen democratic governance by implementing the principles and core values of the NEPAD Declaration on Democracy, Political, Economic and Corporate Governance and, where applicable, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

To give effect to the commitments contained in this Charter: Individual State Party Level State Parties commit themselves to implement the objectives, apply the principles and respect the commitments enshrined in this Charter as follows: State Parties shall incorporate the commitments and principles of the Charter in their national policies and strategies.

This Charter, drawn up in four (4) original texts, in Arabic, English, French and Portuguese languages, all four (4) being equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Chairperson of the Commission who shall transmit certified copies of same to all Member States and the United Nations General Secretariat.

1.States Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for the present Convention. In particular, States Parties shall: Refrain from, prohibit and prevent arbitrary displacement of populations;

States Parties shall cooperate with each other upon the request of the concerned State Party or the Conference of State Parties in protecting and assisting internally displaced persons.

States Parties shall take measures to protect and assist persons who have been internally displaced due to natural or human made disasters, including climate change.

For the purpose of the present Convention: b. "African Commission" means the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights;

For the purpose of the present Convention: c. "African Court of Justice and Human Rights" means the African Court of Justice and Human Rights;

For the purpose of the present Convention: h. "Child" means every human being below the age of 18 years;

For the purpose of the present Convention: o. "OAU" means the Organization of African Unity;

The objectives of this Convention are to: Establish a legal framework for preventing internal displacement, and protecting and assisting internally displaced persons in Africa;

2. States Parties shall: Provide, to the extent possible, the necessary funds for protection and assistance without prejudice to receiving international support;

States Parties shall uphold and ensure respect for the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence of humanitarian actors.

Members of Armed groups shall be held criminally responsible for their acts which violate the rights of internally displaced persons under international law and national law.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

2. States Parties shall undertake to pursue the full implementation of this right and in particular shall take measures to: f) Expand the availability and encourage the uptake of voluntary counselling and confidential testing for HIV/AIDS;

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 commit themselves to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of women and men through public education, information, education and communication strategies, with a view to achieving the elimination of harmful cultural and traditional practices and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes, or on stereotyped roles for women and men.

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures with a view to achieving full realisation of this right and shall, in particular: n) Promote culturally appropriate, age specific sexuality and responsible parenthood education;

7. Enterprises that are located in Africa should establish partnerships with training institutions to contribute to technology transfer for the benefit of African students and researchers.

We, the Member States of the African Union (AU);

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:

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures with a view to achieving full realisation of this right and shall, in particular: p) Adopt preferential recruitment policies for African youth with specialised skills amongst States Parties.

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

1. States Parties shall take the following steps to promote and protect the morals and traditional values recognised by the community: c) Establish institutions and programmes for the development, documentation, preservation and dissemination of culture;

Every young person shall have responsibilities towards his family and society, the State, and the international community. Youth shall have the duty to: g) Espouse an honest work ethic and reject and expose corruption;

2. The present Charter shall come into force thirty (30) days after the deposit with the Chairperson of the Commission of the instruments of ratification of fifteen (15) Member States.

State Parties shall implement this Charter in accordance with the following principles: Respect for human rights and democratic principles;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

State Parties shall implement this Charter in accordance with the following principles: Promotion of a system of government that is representative;

State Parties shall commit themselves to promote democracy, the principle of the rule of law and human rights.

State Parties shall bring to justice the perpetrators of unconstitutional changes of government or take necessary steps to effect their extradition.

The objectives of this Charter are to: Promote State Parties' sustainable development and human security;

State Parties shall strive to institutionalize good political governance through: An independent judiciary;

State Parties shall institutionalize good economic and corporate governance through, inter alia: Poverty alleviation;

In this Charter, unless otherwise stated, the following expressions shall have the following meaning: “Commission” means the Commission of the Union;

Notwithstanding the suspension of the State Party, the Union shall maintain diplomatic contacts and take any initiatives to restore democracy in that State Party.

The Commission shall prepare and submit to the Assembly, through the Executive Council, a synthesized report on the implementation of the Charter;

The Chairperson of the Commission shall be the depository of this Charter;

State Parties shall strive to institutionalize good political governance through: Accountable, efficient and effective public administration;

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;

State Parties shall institutionalize good economic and corporate governance through, inter alia: Developing tax policies that encourage investment;

To give effect to the commitments contained in this Charter: Individual State Party Level State Parties commit themselves to implement the objectives, apply the principles and respect the commitments enshrined in this Charter as follows: State Parties shall take all necessary measures in accordance with constitutional provisions and procedures to ensure the wider dissemination of the Charter and all relevant legislation as may be necessary for the implementation of its fundamental principles;

The instruments of ratification or accession shall be deposited with the Chairperson of the Commission.

Any State Party may submit proposals for the amendment or revision of this Charter;

State Parties shall strive to institutionalize good political governance through: Strengthening the functioning and effectiveness of parliaments;

State Parties shall strive to institutionalize good political governance through: Organising regular, free and fair elections; and

REAFFIRMING the historical commitment of the AU Member States to the protection of and assistance to refugees and displaced persons and, in particular, the implementation of Executive Council Decisions EX.CL/Dec.129 (V) and EX.CL/127 (V) of July 2004 in Addis Ababa, to the effect that that the specific needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) such as protection and assistance should be addressed through a separate legal instrument, and to collaborate with relevant cooperating partners and other stakeholders to ensure that internally displaced persons are provided with an appropriate legal framework to ensure their adequate protection and assistance as well as with durable solutions, respectively;

All persons have a right to be protected against arbitrary displacement. The prohibited categories of arbitrary displacement include but are not limited to: Individual or mass displacement of civilians in situations of armed conflict, unless the security of the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand, in accordance with international humanitarian law;

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: d. Cooperate directly with African States and international organizations and humanitarian agencies, civil society organizations and other relevant actors, with respect to appropriate measures to be taken in relation to the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons;

States Parties shall cooperate, where appropriate, with the African Union and international organizations or humanitarian agencies and civil society organizations, in providing protection and assistance in the course of finding and implementing solutions for sustainable return, local integration or relocation and long-term reconstruction.

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 the right to an equitable sharing of the joint property deriving from the marriage.

1. Young people shall have the right to rest and leisure and to engage in play and recreational activities that are part of a health lifestyle as well as to participate freely in sport, physical education drama, the arts, music and other forms of cultural life. In this regard, States Parties shall: a) Make provision for equal access for young men and young women to sport, physical education, cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activities;

States Parties undertake to protect asylum seeking women, refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, against all forms of violence, rape and other forms of sexual exploitation, and to ensure that such acts are considered war crimes, genocide and/or crimes against humanity and that their perpetrators are brought to justice before a competent criminal jurisdiction.

FURTHER NOTING that the African Platform for Action and the Dakar Declaration of 1994 and the Beijing Platform for Action of 1995 call on all Member States of the United Nations, which have made a solemn commitment to implement them, to take concrete steps to give greater attention to the human rights of women in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination and of gender-based violence against women;