To be seen, heard and recognised: the defenders of island countries of africa

In Africa, despite the remarkable progress made in strengthening legal frameworks to better protect defenders on the continent, the majority of countries do not promote the work of defenders and only marginally recognise their rights, failing to provide them with adequate protection. Human rights defenders are regularly victims of harassment, discrimination, persecution, judicial threats, illegal arrest or detention, and many have been forced to flee their countries.

International and regional mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), United Nations treaty bodies, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights are often underutilised or inaccessible for defenders from African Island countries such as Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar. The lack of State reporting, the absence of data on violations, and the scarcity of alternative reports submitted by civil society raise serious concerns about the visibility and recognition of their work.

Join us for the launch of the Islands Report published by ISHR, highlighting the realities, needs, and concrete support strategies for human rights defenders.

Speakers:

• Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, President of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
• Angélique Razafindrazoary, Razany Vohibola, Madagascar
• Nirinarisoa Prisca Andrianalivelo, Vice-President of the Independent National Human Rights Commission, Madagascar
• Anjeelee Kaur Beegun, Founder of the ReKonekt organisation, Mauritius

Moderator: Antoine Tremblay, International Service for Human Rights

Refreshments will be served at the event.

The room number will be confirmed before the event.