| AFRICAN UNION | UNION AFRICAINE | |
|---|---|---|
| الاتحاد الأفريقي African Commission on Human & Peoples' Rights | UNIÃO AFRICANA Commission Africaine des Droits de l'Homme & des Peuples | |
| No. 31 Bijilo Annex Lay-out, Kombo North District, Western Region, P. O. Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia Tel: (220) 441 05 05 / 441 05 06, Fax: (220) 441 05 04 E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org; Web www.achpr.org |
WEBINAR IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Closing remarks
Commissioner Jamesina King
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished participants;
We have come to the conclusion of today's discussions. Allow me to extend my sincere thanks to all the panellists and participants for the quality of their contributions. This clearly demonstrates your commitment to the cause of human rights promotion and protection on the continent, as well as your support to the work undertaken by the special mechanism on freedom of expression and access to information, in the discharge of its mandate.
During this commemoration, we have focused the discussions on the recently adopted Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, as a way to raise awareness on its salient principles and to encourage the Commission's stakeholders to utilize this useful document. Specifically, we have sought to unpack and understand the various principles in the Declaration, in relation to freedom of expression, access to information, in addition to the promotion and protection of these rights in the digital age.
One additional principle, that is Principle 43 which is in the final section of the Declaration, indicates key principles which are also note-worthy. Principle 43(1) calls on States Parties to 'adopt legislative, administrative, judicial and other measures to give effect to the Declaration,' in addition to stressing the State's responsibility to 'facilitate its dissemination.'
Principle 43(2) reminds States of the need to 'review or adopt legislation on access to information' in view of the importance of such legislation in ensuring realization of this right. Reference is made to the Model Law on Access to Information, which can serve as a tool for States Parties to translate the obligations related to the right of access to information into detailed national legislation.
Principle 43(3) calls on States to be guided by the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa when adopting measures related to elections. These Guidelines were adopted by the Commission in November 2017 to develop a regional standard on access to information and elections, as a means of guaranteeing the credibility of elections and strengthening democratic governance in Africa.