African Leaders have been told of the need and urgency for the continent to take greater and stronger stance against xenophobia and racism.
The call was made by a coalition of Community-Based Organisations and social rights campaigners at a peaceful rally to the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja as part of activities to commemorate the 2021 Africa Liberation Day.
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The group also noted that global sporting events should continue to be used as tools to grow tolerance, peace and the defeat of racism.
Campaign Coordinator of the groups, Ernest Iyagi noted that Africans have been at the worst receiving end of racism and racist attacks globally in all human endeavours.
He said this is why the groups are using this year’s Africa Liberation Day to call on Africa and Africans to continue to stand up and speak up and loud about racism and racist attacks against people everywhere, stressing that Africans and peoples of African descent must be treated and accorded equal rights and privileges like other races.
Responding on behalf of the Executive Secretary of rhe National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, the Director, Economic and Social Rights, Musa Salihu, said the commission will support such groups in their quest for the protection of the rights of Africans and the human race in general.
Africa Liberation Day is an annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, now known as the African Union -AU) on the 25th of May 1963.
The commemoration also aims to promote unity and solidarity among African peoples and states.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
