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In a significant development for human rights in Africa, a draft treaty aimed at redefining family values and sovereignty has been discussed at a parliamentary conference in Accra, Ghana. The proposed African charter, which positions itself against international human rights frameworks, has raised alarm among human rights advocates and legal experts who argue that it threatens individual freedoms and undermines established protections for women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
A Shift Towards Moralism
During the conference, Ghana’s parliamentary speaker, Alban Bagbin, emphasised the need for African nations to assert their sovereignty against what he termed “foreign ideologies” that infringe upon traditional values. The draft charter argues that sexual and reproductive health rights constitute an existential threat to the African family, promoting the idea that policies based on these rights encourage abortion and undermine societal structures.
This document marks a departure from a rights-based approach, advocating instead for a moralistic framework that prioritises collective family interests over individual rights. Critics contend that this perspective not only misrepresents the realities of family diversity across the continent but also seeks to erode hard-won advancements in gender equality and reproductive health.
Rejection of International Obligations
The charter explicitly calls for African states to withdraw from international agreements that do not align with its principles, including the 2003 Maputo Protocol, which aims to protect women’s rights and promote gender equality. It also denounces comprehensive sex education (CSE), claiming it sexualises children, while asserting a binary view of gender as strictly male or female. Moreover, it suggests that parental rights should supersede those of children, particularly concerning issues of sexuality and discipline.
Gilbert Mitullah, a Kenyan lawyer and board member of the Queer African Network, described the charter as a “license to oppose” existing commitments to sexual and reproductive health and LGBTQ+ rights. He cautioned that it serves as a tool to dismantle protections established by the Maputo Protocol from within, even before any formal endorsement.
The Influence of Conservative Narratives
The charter has been promoted by a coalition of African lawmakers, predominantly from Uganda, at the annual inter-parliamentary conference on family values. This controversial meeting has garnered attention for its role in shaping anti-homosexuality legislation across the continent. The current conference, attended by representatives from 20 nations, aimed to build support for the charter ahead of the African Union’s general assembly in February, where it will be put to a vote.
Concerns have been raised regarding the charter’s definition of family, which is narrowly based on heterosexual marriage. The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) conducted a comprehensive analysis, warning that such a framework could legitimise the subordination of women and children to family interests, insulating them from state accountability in cases of violence or discrimination.
Lakshita Kanhiya, a legal officer at ISLA, remarked, “Women will no longer be safe; children will not be safe.”
A Broader Context of Resistance
Human rights advocates argue that the charter’s language and objectives echo narratives pushed by conservative Christian groups in the United States and Europe, which oppose abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. This has led to accusations that the charter distorts legitimate concerns about sovereignty into a weapon against progressive policies, labelling them as neocolonialism.
Famia Nkansa from Purposeful, a Sierra Leonean organisation focused on girls’ activism, stated, “Anti-rights activity on the continent is simply an extension and expansion of the same colonial playbook.” She emphasised that Africa is often positioned as a battleground for ideological conflicts stemming from the West.
Despite claims from Family Watch International, a U.S.-based Christian lobbying group, that the charter is an African initiative, critics argue it reflects the influence of external conservative entities seeking to impose their values on the continent. Mitullah highlighted that the charter is not merely an African document but rather a product of a transnational network with a hidden agenda.
Why it Matters
The ongoing discussions surrounding this draft charter represent a critical juncture for human rights in Africa. If adopted, it could significantly roll back progress in sexual and reproductive health rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ protections across the continent. The ramifications of such a shift would resonate beyond borders, potentially influencing international perspectives on human rights and sovereignty. As nations grapple with these pressing issues, the outcome of the forthcoming vote at the African Union could define the trajectory of rights for generations to come.
