ETHIOPIA AFRICA BLACK INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS MIAMI INC. HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION African Indigenous Human Rights: A Race First First Ideal As we celebrate human rights day this year I would like to take the time to reflect on what human rights means to us as African people universally. There have been many serious and unprecedented events that have taken place this year all in the context of human rights. While the world was and still is captivated by the Arab Spring, many grotesque atrocities have been conducted under the guise of human rights in so-called support and defense of human rights. We have seen many leaders of North Africa and other Arab States lose their seats of power through the supposedly grassroots organization of the masses to demand change. We have also witnessed the resurgence of the overt scramble for Africa under the auspices of human rights and justice. As we examine the state of current world affairs and the universal importance of the protection and promotion of human rights. We must ask ourselves; does the justice as purported by the international community dominated by the west meet the appearance of justice? By whose standards are African leaders and governments judged by? (“Article 28. Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized”) If we are truly serious about human rights we must accept that the current international system responsible for the assurance of human rights does not represent the core values of universal human rights. Whilst we have seen the armed rise of the youth in the Middle East; welcomed by the US and supported through the auspices of NATO. We also bear witness to the unprovoked molestation and abuse against peaceful protesters of the Occupy Wall Street Movement right here in America. Can we not see the hypocrisy in this? We have further witnessed the erosion of the sovereignty of many underdeveloped states, with African States bearing the brunt of the assault. All of these taking place under the guise of human rights promotion and protection. Our only solution then as Africans is for us to find our own solutions for our problems. We have demonstrated that we are a unique and divine spiritual people with human rights being an inborn concept and principle. We have and continue to manifest this through our indigenous problem solving and conflict resolution methods; as demonstrated in Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and the continent over from Cape to the Cairo. Our concept of justice is restorative not punitive. Unity, Faith and Cooperative Economics are our social ideals; not capitalistic greed, selfishness and envy. Self Determination is not only a human right it is one of our fundamental principles. It is clear now that Africa must unite and establish a true functioning form of collective security to protect her children and guarantee their future through human rights. Self-Reliance is a sacred duty of every human being and nation. We all have our share of problems some common and some unique; we also have our various traditions and values some common and some unique. We can all get together to find common solutions to common problems. However more often than not, most human rights problems are very case sensitive and unique in nature. Therefore indigenous solutions must be applied in most situations; demonstrating the importance of the practice and principle of self-reliance in the guarantying of human rights. Let us this human rights day re-examine the current international human rights framework and see it for what it truly is; a game of Cloaks and Daggers. People universally are suffering; this is not the time for games. Human Rights are a natural concept therefore they are Natural Rights universal to all. However history has demonstrated that we all interpret these rights in our own spectacles. So therefore no foreign perspective could ever recommend the prescription for all of our ills. In closing we the International Expatriates in the Diaspora are still seeking our fundamental and basic demand for Freedom, Redemption and International Repatriation; with Reparations and Compensation from all governments, corporations and others that participated and benefitted from the 17th century African slave trade. These are owed unto us through human rights and we want them NOW! We are calling upon our African Leaders and Statesmen to embrace the ideal African Indigenous Human Rights and Restorative Justice in working out the necessary protocols to guarantee us our fundamental basic Indigenous human right of African Citizenship within the Continent through Repatriation. We must Win, We shall Win, We will Win! Hon. Pro. Benton Curry Director NJU / Human Rights Coordinator
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 14:24:53 +0000
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