{"id":49015,"date":"2023-10-05T09:29:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T09:29:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/rcsp-pushes-for-ratification-of-african-charter-on-human-and-people-s-rights\/"},"modified":"2023-10-05T12:44:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T12:44:34","slug":"rcsp-pushes-for-ratification-of-african-charter-on-human-and-people-s-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/rcsp-pushes-for-ratification-of-african-charter-on-human-and-people-s-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"RCSP  pushes  for ratification of African  Charter  on  Human  and  People\u2019s  Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The  call  was  made  on  4th, October, 2023  at  Four  Points  by  Sheraton  Hotel  in Kigali  during  a  \u2018High  Level  Consultative  Meeting\u2019  hosted  by  RCSP  and  Africa  Platform  for  Social  Protection (APSP).<\/p>\n<p>While  speaking  to  the  participants,  Joseph Nkurunziza, the  Chairperson  RCSP  highlighted  the  importance  of  the  protocol  not  only  to  the  African  continent  but  precisely  in  Rwanda, making  reference  to  two  of  his  family  friends  in  retirement  that  need  fundraising  to  get  further  treatment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSocial  protection  can  provide  direct  support  to  people  living  in  extreme  poverty  and  who  are  unable  to  access  microcredits,\u201d he  stated, disclosing  RCSP\u2019s  advocacy  efforts, responsibility  and  commitment  on  issues  affecting  the  general  public.<\/p>\n<p>RCSP  in  collaboration  with  APSP  organised  the  meeting  to  create  awareness  and  request  the  Government  of  Rwanda  to  discuss  on  government  guidelines  for  the  ratification  of  International  Protocols  and  Rwandan  legal  frameworks  on  social  protection  and  social  security. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn  a  world where  progress  is  often  measured  by economic  growth  and  technological  advancement, we  shouldn\u2019t  forget  the  fundamental  truth. The  true  measure  of  our  society\u2019s  greatness  lies  in  how  we  treat  our  most  vulnerable  citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt  is  not  enough  to  celebrate economic  prosperity  while  ignoring  the  plight  of  those  who  struggle  to  access  the  basic  necessities,\u201d remarked  Nkurunziza.<\/p>\n<p>William  Ndegeyinka, Senior State Attorney in Charge of International Justice and Judicial Cooperation at  the Ministry  of  Justice, acknowledged  the  protocols&#8217;  elaborative  and  progressive  mechanisms  which  align  with  Rwanda\u2019s  dedication  to  the  well  being  and  rights  of  its  citizens.  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cCitizen\u2019s  social  protection  and  social  security  remain  among  Rwanda\u2019s  key  priorities. For  instance, the  constitution  of  the  Republic  of  Rwanda  lays  out  fundamental  principles  that  the  country  commits  itself  to  upholding  and  ensuring  respect, building  a  state  committed  to  promoting  social  welfare  and  establishing  appropriate  mechanisms  for  equal  opportunity  to  social  justice,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo  give  effect  to  this  constitutional  fundamental  principle, policy, legal  and  institutional  frameworks  have  been  put  in  place,\u201d added Ndegeyinka.<\/p>\n<p>He  further  commended  the  meeting\u2019s  diversity  stating  that  it  aligns  so  well  with  Rwanda\u2019s  approach  and  affirmed existing  collaboration  between  the  government, its  partners  and  stakeholders. <\/p>\n<p>In February 2022, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government adopted the groundbreaking African Charter on Human and People&#8217;s Rights to Social Protection and Social Security protocol. With 39 articles at its core, this protocol recognizes that social protection and social security are not mere luxuries but inherent rights of every citizen.<\/p>\n<p>While the protocol represents a significant step forward, it currently awaits ratification, having been signed by only two countries: Niger on May 27, 2022, and Sao Tome and Principe on February 16, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Tavengwa Nhongo, Director of the Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP), has issued a heartfelt call to Rwanda to lead the way in ratifying the protocol. <\/p>\n<p>Rwanda&#8217;s unique position lies in the fact that it has already signed and ratified most of the articles contained in the protocol, including provisions for People with Disabilities (PWDS) and the Elderly. Dr. Nhongo expressed his hope, saying, &#8220;I am hoping that Rwanda will be the number one country to ratify the protocol in Africa because the drafting of the protocol is underpinned from a declaration that came from here [Kigali declaration on social security and social protection].&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>APSP, a network of organizations operating at national and regional levels, is dedicated to promoting and strengthening the social contract between states and citizens. Their mission aligns with the broader goal of securing social protection and security for all.<\/p>\n<p>On the home front, the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP), comprising 12 member organizations, has been tirelessly advocating for the ratification of the protocol. Established in 2004, RCSP aims to foster partnership, inclusion, and amplify voices within Rwandan society, ultimately enhancing citizen participation in sustainable development.<\/p>\n<p>According to Angelique Kabeza, the Executive Secretary of RCSP, civil society plays a pivotal role in pushing for the ratification of the protocol. <\/p>\n<p>Their efforts, in collaboration with APSP and other stakeholders, signify Rwanda&#8217;s commitment to realizing the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People&#8217;s Rights to Social Protection and Social Security. Rwanda&#8217;s potential to become the first African nation to ratify the protocol stands as a testament to its dedication to the well-being and rights of its citizens.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60198\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_09.jpg\" alt=\"The  \u2018High  Level  Consultative  Meeting\u2019 was held at  Four  Points  by  Sheraton  Hotel  in Kigali.   \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60194\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_06.jpg\" alt=\"Joseph Nkurunziza, the  Chairperson  RCSP  highlighted  the  importance  of  the  protocol. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60195\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13_54.07.jpg\" alt=\"From left: Dr. Tavengwa Nhongo, Director of the Africa Platform for Social Protection; Angelique Kabeza, RCSP Executive secretary and Cyrilla Heyi, Programme Manager Child Rights Governance at APSP following presentations during the meeting. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60200\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_40_1_.jpg\" alt=\"Representatives from the Civil Society platform, APSP, NGOs and government officials positing for a group photo after the consultative meeting. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60202\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_41.jpg\" alt=\"Angelique Kabeza, the Executive Secretary of RCSP underscored pivotal role of the civil society in pushing for the ratification of the protocol. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60199\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_37.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60201\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_40.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-60193\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{The  Rwanda  Civil  Society  Platform (RCSP)  has  appealed  to  the  government, Civil  Society  Organisations (CSO\u2019s), International  institutions  and  Non  Governmental  Organisations (NGOs) to  advocate  for  the  ratification  of  the \u201cAfrican  Charter  on  Human  and  People\u2019s  Rights  to  Social  Protection  and  Social  Security\u201d. } <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":2000060192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[3104],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-49015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-jane-babirye"],"bylines":[{"id":3104,"name":"Jane Babirye","slug":"jane-babirye","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":null}],"contributors":[{"id":3104,"name":"Jane Babirye","slug":"jane-babirye","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":null}],"featured_image":{"id":2000060192,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/whatsapp_image_2023-10-04_at_13.54_07_1_.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49015"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49015\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000060192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49015"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=49015"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=49015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}