Commissioner Mudford Mwandenga presenting a report on the relationship of NGOs and NHRIs to the African Commission ©ACHPR
On 16 May 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights presented information on its cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
The Commission granted observer status to nine NGOs and affiliate status to two NHRIs. A comprehensive report on the engagement of NGOs and NHRIs with the Commission was presented at the session, which included the status of their reporting obligations.
The nine NGOs come from different regions of the continent and covered on a range of human rights issues. They satisfy the criteria for having observer status, such as:
The newly accredited NGOs are:
The two NHRIs that were granted affiliate status are:
They were granted affiliate status based on the satisfaction of the criteria and their relevance in upholding human rights on the continent.
There are now 571 NGOs with observer status and 38 NHRIs with affiliate status.
During this panel, the African Commission also shared information on the status of reporting by NHRIs and NGOs. According to resolution ACHPR/Res. 572 (LXXVII) 2023, once granted observer and affiliate status, NGOs and NHRIs must submit an activity report every two years. It was noted with concern that 28 NHRIs are yet to submit their latest reports.
Granting of affiliate status to NHRIs allows the institutions to be invited to sessions and participate in issues of interest. However, they must also comply by sending reports every two years. I encourage both NGOs and NHRIs to send their reports in a timely manner.Commissioner Mudford Mwandenga
It was also noted that NHRIs and NGOs are fundamental to the commission in ensuring human rights are upheld and violations are reported across the continent.
ISHR and ten other civil society organisations denounce the arbitrary arrests of Eduardo Torres and other human rights defenders, as well as the increase in attacks on civic space and Venezuelan NGOs.
At the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission, or ACHPR), the African Commission reviewed Ethiopia under the State reporting procedure, as per article 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. We call on Ethiopia to do more to protect human rights defenders in the country.
On 8 May 2025, during the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), ISHR delivered a statement under Item 5, which focused on the activity report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. The statement reaffirmed ISHR’s strong commitment to the protection and empowerment of defenders across Africa.
