CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE _____________________________________________________________________ 218. There is a cost to the promotion and protection of human rights. It is the duty of the public authorities to mobilise the resources necessary to create the conditions for the enjoyment of citizens’ rights. It is their responsibility to take the necessary steps to enable the people to feed themselves, to obtain housing and care, etc. It is true that Burkina Faso, as a poor country, has limited resources to meet such requirements. However, underdevelopment should not be an excuse for the state not to fulfil its responsibilities in respect of the achievement of human rights. A sound policy for promoting human rights requires their materialisation and dissemination so that they can be enjoyed fully by citizens. Good practice no. 3.2: The national citizenship week Since its establishment, the Department for the Promotion of Human Rights commemorates, as recommended by the General Assembly of the UN, the date on which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) came into effect, namely 10 December 1948. Initially, the annual forum set itself the main objective of strengthening the partnership between state actors and non-state actors so as to promote and protect human rights. The idea was to give all players in the field of human rights, as well as citizens, the opportunity to meet to consider different activities related to their common goals. The forum of 10 December 2001 led to the creation of the CNDH of Burkina Faso. The forum of 2002 discussed the progress report of Burkina Faso submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The third forum held on 10 December 2003 resulted in preparations being made for the Tenth Summit of La Francophonie, held in Ouagadougou in 2004, to consider the Bamako Declaration adopted at the International Symposium on the Practices of Democracy, Rights and Freedoms in the Francophone Space. On 10 December 2004, the Ministry for the Promotion of Human Rights organised a national citizenship week, the main purpose of which was to promote responsible citizenship among the people, and the youth in particular. This was at a time when human rights only seemed to be fostering civic awareness. Another purpose of the week was to focus on duties as indispensable corollaries of a complete and responsible citizenship. Access to justice and the guarantee of rights and liberties 219. The judiciary is a key player in building democracy and the rule of law. Consequently, access to justice is a primary concern. Although the consistent promotion and popularisation of human rights by Burkina Faso for several years now are certainly impressive and useful, in themselves they are insufficient to ensure the effectiveness of these rights. Only credible and, above all, accessible justice can guarantee the enjoyment by citizens of their rights. 220. Justice is the cornerstone of the rule of law. In substance, its consolidation means strengthening the rule of law and ensuring the protection of human rights. Everyone knows that this consolidation must take place through improved accessibility to justice and the public service. However, if access to 114