489. Tunisia’s membership of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights proves the firm attachment of the Government to the rights of the peoples, to the equality of nations, great and small and to the recourse of negotiated solutions for disputes. 490. The 30th OAU Summit in Tunis had been one of the powerful moments filled with great symbolism reflecting the links of fraternity and solidarity existing between Tunisia and the African countries. This Summit registered a record participation of 42 African Heads of State including President Mandela, the admission of South Africa as the 53rd Member State of the Organization and the creation of the Mechanism for the prevention, management and settlement of conflicts of the pan-african organization. 491. In March 2001 Tunisia ratified the « Constitutive Act of the African Union » which, in its Article 3, makes provision for one of its objectives to be the promotion and the protection of Human and Peoples’ Rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other human rights instruments. 492. During the 16th Ordinary Session of the « Summit of the League of Arab States » it participated actively in the adoption of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which in its preamble, insists on equality between peoples, it being recalled that almost half of the Member States of the League are African States. 493. Furthermore, Tunisia has established genuine intra-African cooperation at both bilateral and regional levels so as to attain a high rate of economic integration between the countries of the Continent and to guarantee better exploitation of their wealth, as defined in the various African strategies, including NEPAD in particular. ARTICLE 20 The Right of peoples to self-determination 494. Article 20 of the Charter stipulates that « all peoples shall have the unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination ». (paragraph 1), that the « colonized or oppressed peoples shall have the right to free themselves from the bonds of domination » (paragraph 2) and that they shall have the « right to the assistance of the States Parties to the present Charter in their liberation struggle against foreign domination » (paragraph 3). 495. At the beginning of this 21st century, humanity finds itself at a fork in the road: on one side the path of military, economic and technological predominance of certain countries over the multitude of poor countries with its string of wars, violence and injustices; and on the other, the path of solidarity and peace. It is in this context that Tunisian diplomacy is working indefatigably to promote peace, understanding and cooperation in its regional setting and in the world. 496. Tunisia has always been and will always be on the side of the oppressed peoples. It calls for the required measures to put an end to the dreadful injustices that they are suffering. It is working for a world where colonialism, neocolonialism, racism, extremism, terrorism will all be cast out forever; for a world of equal human beings, whatever their colour, and of equal nations, whatever their 105