A Dutiful Child: The Implications of Article 31 of the AfricanChildren's Charter

Abstract

Each right has a corresponding duty. The African Children's Charter,under article 31, imposes a range of duties on children. Understandably, itcould become contentious when an instrument on the rights and welfare ofchildren expressly imposes duties on them. After setting the platform fordiscussion by highlighting international experiences and outlining the Africanconcept of human rights, this article critically examines and attempts toclarify the precise meaning, content, conditions of compliance and applicationof those duties for children. By way of conclusion, it suggests that article 31represents a valuable addition to the international human rights agenda, andthat a purposeful interpretation of its constituent parts reveals that childrenshould be required to play a role at family, community, national and continentallevels, in accordance with their age and maturity as they grow up, as part andparcel of their heritage, empowerment and developing citizenship.