Illustration: Tercer Piso for ISHR
ACHPR89 side event: Protecting our environment, our land and our digital space in Africa
By highlighting best practices and current gaps, this event catalyses collective action for an Africa where environmental, territorial, and digital rights are defended within a framework that upholds fundamental human rights.
Across the African continent, environmental defenders face increasing criminalisation for opposing extractive projects and land grabs, encountering intimidation, arbitrary detention, and physical violence.
Simultaneously, the rapid digitisation of African societies has created new arenas for activism but also for surveillance and repression, where activists grapple with online monitoring, platform censorship, and restrictive cybercrime laws that stifle freedom of expression.
These three domains—environmental justice, land and digital rights—are deeply interconnected. Human rights defenders play a critical role in documenting environmental violations, mobilising local communities, and safeguarding sensitive data for their investigations. Yet their work is often hampered by resource constraints, inadequate legal frameworks, and a lack of recognition for the specific risks they face. An integrated approach is essential to strengthen their protection, ensure access to justice, and guarantee a safe digital environment where they can operate without fear of reprisal.
By highlighting best practices and current gaps, this event will catalyse collective action for an Africa where environmental, territorial, and digital rights are defended within a framework that upholds fundamental human rights.
Speakers: Civil society representatives from Africa
Moderation: Salomé BOUCIF, Training and Advocacy Support Manager at the International Service for Human Rights.
This event is co-sponsored by ISHR, Defend Defenders and Frontline Defenders. Interpretation will be provided into English and French.