Meeting for Universal Adherence to the Principle International Human Rights Instruments

"We at the Organization of African Unity firmly believe that the observance of human rights is an important component in our developmental efforts. The correlation between the observance of human rights and socio- economic development needs not to be over-emphasized. The yearning for fundamental human rights is inherent in every human being. Indeed, there cannot be socio+economic development in the absence of peace and security as there cannot be socio-economic development in the midst of massive violation of human rights. The strict observance of human rights creates an enabling environment that facilitates the creative energies of a people to be released for socio-economic development." - Dr. Salim, May 14, 1996