Since the 1990s, following the collapse of single-party regimes whose experimentations with development were disappointing, the majority of African countries, in particular the French-speaking ones, adopted democracy as their model of government - with all the ingredients to foster economic development. Democratic changeover of political power between parties, free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, good governance, respect for individual freedoms and fundamental rights, a representative system, etc. are all factors which, while enabling all actors to participate in finding solutions more in tune with the aspirations of the people, promote sustainable development.
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It is within the context of this interdependence between democracy and sustainable development that parliament plays a vital role. As a premier institution, parliament is vested with extensive constitutional powers, which, when used effectively, guarantee the full enjoyment of freedoms and fundamental rights. When legislators pass laws, they allow society to adapt itself to constantly changing needs and circumstances. What then can they do regarding the implementation of the international treaties and conventions that their countries have ratified?
The sad reality is that all too often legislators give scant consideration to what becomes of these instruments, despite the fact that treaty bodies do not cease to recommend that all stakeholders in society be involved in the preparation and implementation of country reports. Indeed, as legislators, it is their duty to ensure that international commitments and treaty body recommendations are translated into law, accompanied by adequate budgetary allocations, and are fully implemented.
It is for this reason that the IPU has launched a project for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff of French-speaking African countries. Financed by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), this project aims to develop their knowledge of international and regional human rights treaties, encourage them to become more involved in the work of treaty bodies, especially in the preparation and submission of country reports and the implementation of the recommendations issued thereon. In the long term, it is hoped that parliamentarians, once they have familiarized themselves with the workings of the international and regional human rights frameworks, will encourage the executive to ratify other instruments which, once effectively implemented, will meet the expectations of their constituencies. One challenge is to reflect the ratified treaties in domestic laws and ensure compliance on a daily basis.
The participants at the Ouagadougou Seminar - the first activity under this project - realized that the participation of legislators in the work of the above-mentioned treaty bodies was indeed a necessity. The Seminar, held from 1 to 3 October 2007 under the auspices of the IPU and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with the National Assembly of Burkina Faso, aimed to familiarize participants with international and regional human rights standards and mechanisms that contribute to the rule of law.
Judging from the interest showed during the Ouagadougou Seminar and the enthusiasm sparked by the various presentations, this expectation will be met in the near future. From the questions fielded, the specific details requested of the various experts during the debates, the initiatives they have pledged to carry out in order to be associated with the defence and promotion of human rights, the members of parliament have reaffirmed their commitment to universal, indivisible and interdependent human rights.
