Speaker, the august House, and the gallery at large, today we are celebrating International Democracy Day, and I would like to share with you my views and experiences around how Africa has made efforts in advancing democracy.
We definitely have to take pride in celebrating this eventful day in view of our history in ridding ourselves of colonialism and facing neoliberalism these days as well as all schools of thought and practices that tend to impinge on or even undermine democracy.
Africa's efforts in advancing democracy and human rights can be articulated very aptly through initially the Organisation of African Unity, OAU, historically, and the African Union, AU, currently. But, obviously, I would also like to include the role and initiatives taken up by the Pan-African Parliament in the efforts of advancing democracy and human rights in our continent.
One of the outstanding efforts that have been taken up by the African Union is the African Peer Review Mechanism. This mechanism focuses on the African countries supervising themselves - if I can use simple language - or to ensure peer review for advancing democracy and ensuring that human rights are respected. That is obviously also seen in the initiative of the African Renaissance, as well as Nepad, not to mention the various charters that have been adopted by the African Union.
I would like to make specific reference to the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which unfortunately our country has not yet ratified. This charter, amongst other fundamental issues that it raises, ensures that all African countries respect and abide by democratic values. It also, in the way it has been crafted, ensures that African countries dare not change governance through military means. It emphasises that if there are any changes that are supposed to take place in any government, it should be through appropriate democratic means - and that is free and fair elections.
Let me go further and state the fact that we also need to acknowledge that civil society in Africa has done a fair job because it has been able, where possible, to work with governments to advance democratic value and human rights.
However, it is also fair to indicate that, unfortunately in some of our African countries, relations between civil society, especially active civil society organisations, and those respective governments are not necessarily of the best.
I trust and hope that as parliamentarians, as we interact through structures such as the Pan-African Parliament, we will obviously ensure that there is respect, recognition and even encouragement of the participation of civil society in our efforts to advance democracy and respect for human rights.
The role of Africa in the global efforts of fighting for democracy and respect for human rights can be seen in Africa's participation in various international bodies. One can mention a few: the United Nations, the Non- Aligned Movement, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and so forth. It is fair to say that in all these various international bodies Africa's participation has been informed and guided by its charters, and that is an effort worth encouraging.
Let me come to the role of the ANC-led government, particularly in advancing democracy and human rights in Africa. It is fair to say that once again, if you look at the charter that I have referred to, namely the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, you would find that quite a number of the issues that are raised in that charter resonate with our Bill of Rights and our Constitution. That then definitely illustrates that South Africa has been able to influence such charters. In fact, to be quite fair, South Africa was central in crafting that charter.
Beyond such noble efforts in advancing democracy and human rights, I think it is also appropriate that we share as to what then the future holds for us. How do we focus on areas that still need improvement?
The first area that I would like to present to this august House is that there is a need for us as public representatives to strengthen links between Parliament and our citizens. It is very fundamental because we have a historical and constitutional duty to do so.
Furthermore, linked to that is the transformation of the Pan-African Parliament, which is still a consultative body, into a full legislative body. I also trust that, once again, this august House will support the delegates from this House in their efforts to ensure that when the Pan- African Parliament becomes a fully legislative body, it will be able to capably ensure that democracy is deepened in Africa and that human rights are respected and upheld.
Lastly, quite a number of members in the past have been raising the issue of having a Nepad desk here in Parliament, and I would like to reinforce that by proposing that it is high time that our Parliament explores the formation of an AU desk here in Parliament and, amongst other things, ensures that democracy is deepened in Africa and human rights are upheld. I thank you. [Applause.]