President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Saturday, October 21, as “African Union Human Rights Day” (AUHRD), which is to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.

The Liberian leader calls on all citizens and foreign residents, national and international organizations and all government agencies concerned to join the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) in executing appropriate programs befitting the observance of the day.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the commemoration is to continuously awaken greater awareness of the African people and the international community about the value of life and humanity and to renew our collective commitment to protect and uphold fundamental human rights.

“This day is symbolic as it expresses the gratitude of the partnership and continued collaboration aimed at strengthening the cooperation between the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission, the Secretariat of the Network of the African National Human Rights institutions (NANHRIs) and Independent National Commission on Human Rights and the Liberian people,” the proclamation further stated.

President Sirleaf said she sees the annual celebration of the AUHRD as an opportunity to reflect and recommit to the solemn undertaking by African leaders and the African people to  promote and safeguard human and people rights.

“The existing of this human rights standard and the guarantee of the promotion, protection and respect for human rights by state parties form the basis for the commemoration of the Africa Human Rights Day on 21^st October each year,” the proclamation stressed.

Liberia has signed the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and is a member of the Network of the African National Human Rights Institutions.

The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights came into force in October 21st, 1986, mandating state parties to promote, protect and respect Human and People’s Rights in Africa.