General News of Tuesday, 8 August 2017
Source: todaygh.com
2017-08-08
Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu
President of Youth for Human Rights Africa (YoHRA), a non-governmental human rights organisation, Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu, has revealed that the rights of many Ghanaians, particularly the vulnerable, continue to be violated by state actors.
According to him, the fundamental human rights of an individual were crucial for the holistic development of both the individual and the nation.
Lawyer Sosu made these observations in an exclusive interview with Today after the launch of the maiden edition of the Ghana Youth Human Right conference in Accra.
Lawyer Sosu, a renowned human rights activist, noted that the continuous abuse of the rights of the individual, especially the vulnerable, leave them in distress and impoverishment due to their lack of awareness and knowledge of their rights.
The president of YoHRA was emphatic that fundamental human rights were meant to be automatic for everybody and not a privilege to be owned by governments, religious or any human institutions.
He explained that the goal of YoHRA was to create awareness and promote observance of fundamental human rights in Ghana, and Africa by the use of national, regional, African and the United Nation’s Human Rights Instruments, and empower the underprivileged in society through civic education, research and publication.
“YoHRA’s focus is to advocate against human rights abuses of women, children and People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in society through strategic litigation and public interest action,” he reiterated.
Lawyer Sasu, however, promised that his organisation would work with international organisations involved in human rights promotion and advocacy in carrying out trainings for promoters across Africa.
He also appealed to stakeholders for total collaboration in advocacy and education against the numerous human rights abuses in society.
The conference, which is on the theme: “Promoting Fundamental Human Rights: A Catalyst for Accelerated Socio-Economic Development in a Free and Just Society,” is slated to take place on December 11, 2017.
