CHAPTER 4: THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLES AND THE DUTIES SET FORTH IN THE CHARTER A. PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (Article 19) 1°) The right of peoples to equality 324. Chad affirms the principle of the right of peoples to equality in accordance with the will of the Chadian people, “to live together with respect for ethnic, religious, regional and cultural diversity; to build a State governed by the rule of law and a united Nation based on public freedoms and fundamental human rights, the dignity of the human person and political pluralism, on African values of solidarity and fraternity; and reaffirms its commitment to the principles of human rights as defined by the United Nations Charter of 1945, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights of 1981”. 325. In practice, Chad has always advocated the principle of the equality of peoples, both at the international and national levels. 326. Thus, at the international level, Chad has always defended and respected the principle of equality of States within regional and international bodies. It has always opposed the hegemony or domination of one State by another. 327. At the country level also, considerable efforts are being made every day to ensure the effective application of this principle. However, socio-cultural and socio-political considerations sometimes reveal the existence of castes (e.g. blacksmiths, griots) or vulnerable social groups (e.g. women, children and older persons) considered to be more or less inferior to other social groups. However, such situations are rare and cannot in any way call into question the principle of the equality of peoples, which remains a reality in Chad. 2°) The right of peoples to self-determination (Article 20) 328. The Chadian Constitution states that: “Chad is a sovereign, independent, secular, social, united and indivisible Republic, founded on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and justice. The separation of religion and State is affirmed...”. Indeed, the principle of self-determination is no longer relevant in Chad, an independent country since 1960. 329. However, with regard to other peoples, Chad attaches primary importance to this inherent and inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination. Aware of the value of this inviolable principle, Chad, in its foreign policy, has never supported the domination of one country or people by another. Page 71 sur 87