ACHPR77: African States must continue to strengthen legal frameworks protecting defenders

Additionally, the statement recognises the continued efforts by some African countries towards stronger legislative frameworks protecting defenders at the national level, especially the recent adoption by the Democratic Republic of Congo of a specific law promoting the rights of defenders though the text provides for the registration of defenders, which is contrary to the spirit of the UN Declaration on defenders. In Madagascar, despite the efforts made by civil society and numerous discussions with the government, the text submitted to parliament does not seem to take into account many of civil society’s concerns, in particular the particular violations faced by whistleblowers in the country.

Finally, States updated the African Commission on progress made for the implementation of human rights in their country, such as Zimbabwe currently including the impacts of climate change throughout its policies and hoping to present its next periodic report at the next ordinary session of the African Commission, having already submitted its State report.