ii. The Charter imposes responsibility on State parties to prevent
arbitrary deprivations of life caused by its own agents as well as
protect individuals and groups from such deprivation at the hands of
others.
iii. The African Commission on Human Rights comment No 3 on
Article 4 proceeds from the understanding that the Charter envisages
the protection not only of the to life in the narrow sense but of
dignified life requiring a broad interpretation of States responsibility
to protect life.
iv. The right to life is universally recognized as a fundamental right
recognized by Article 4 of the Charter and all other global
instruments. It is part of customary international law and general
principles of law aside from treaty rules. It is jus cogens norms
binding at all times. It is also recognized by all national legal
systems.
v. This right is subject to a broad interpretation and States are under
obligation to develop and implement legal and practical framework
to respect, protect, promote and enforce the right to life. This include
the obligation to take steps to prevent arbitrary deprivation of life
and to conduct thorough and transparent investigations into any
such deprivation that might have occurred and hold responsible to
account and providing for effective remedy and reparation for
21
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