Human rights in Africa

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The situation of human rights in Africa is generally reported to be poor, and typically seen as an area of grave concern according to the UN, governmental, and non-governmental observers.

Democratic governments seem to be spreading, though are not yet the majority (National Geographic claims 13 African nations can be considered truly democratic). As well, many nations have at least nominally recognized basic human rights for all citizens, though in practice these are not always recognized, and have created reasonably independent judiciaries.

Extensive human rights abuses still occur in several parts of Africa, often under the oversight of the state. Most of such violations occur for political reasons, oftentimes as a 'side-effect' of civil war. Notable countries with reported major violations include, but are not limited to, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, and Côte d'Ivoire. Reported violations include extrajudicial execution, mutilation, and rape.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is an international body which seeks to provide supranational monitoring and rights to citizens of Africa.

Contents

[edit] By country/entity

[edit] North Africa

[edit] Sub-Saharan Africa

[edit] See also

[edit] External links