Spurred by popular uprisings in North Africa, pressure to respect the human rights of all Africans is growing across the continent, but political leaders are standing in the way, says the internationally respected lobby group, Amnesty International.

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In its annual report, released on Thursday, Amnesty says protection of human rights in sub-Saharan Africa will probably not develop as "quickly and dramatically" as in North Africa, and in some places "the situation might even get worse".

"However, factors such as sustained economic growth, demands for better governance, an emerging middle class, stronger civil society and improved access to information and communication technology will gradually contribute to a better human rights situation.

"The question," Amnesty adds, "is whether Africa's political leadership will embrace these changes or see them as a threat to their hold on power. In 2011, most political leaders - in their reactions to protests and dissent - were part of the problem, not the solution."

The organization's 2012 report, 'The State of the World's Human Rights', assesses human rights conditions in 155 countries around the world during 2011.

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