Photo: Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center (SDKJ ICC)
At the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, held in Banjul (The Gambia) from 2 May to 22 May, ISHR delivered an oral statement calling for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the continuation of the process toward a human rights defenders protection law in Zambia, reparations for Africans and people of African descent, and a binding treaty on environmental rights in Africa.
As shocking violence continues in the DRC amidst the armed conflict in the country, in its statement, ISHR called for an immediate end to hostilities. In particular, ISHR called for the full implementation of United Nations Human Rights Council resolution S37/1, including for the Congolese government to support the commission of inquiry and the fact-finding mission created by the resolution to investigate alleged atrocities and abuses committed by the various parties.
Additionally, ISHR called for the Law on the Protection and Responsibility of Human Rights Defenders to be fully applied in the DRC, for the establishment of a national mechanism on the protection of defenders, and for the reestablishment of the F92 document for civil society organisations.
In Zambia, ISHR was pleased to support and input into a consultation meeting on the need for a human rights defenders protection law in the country and welcomed the Zambian government’s interest in the process.
On thematic issues, ISHR spoke of the need for reparations and justice for Africans and people of African descent around the world for the human rights violations suffered as a result of racial injustice, slavery, colonialism, and neocolonialism.
‘Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations’ is the theme of the year of the African Union and ISHR was proud to sponsor a resolution at the NGO Forum preceding the ordinary session of the African Commission on reparations, including calling for the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
Centuries of racial injustice, slavery, racism, colonialism and neocolonialism against Africans and people of African descent must be repaired…Antoine Tremblay, ISHR Africa Fellow
Finally, ISHR called for a binding regional treaty to be developed to guarantee environmental rights in Africa. Such a process should be initiated by the African Commission, in close collaboration and cooperation with environmental human rights defenders on the continent, integrating their perspectives, needs, and concerns. As climate change, environmental degradation, and human rights violations continue, such a treaty is more important than ever.
Other interventions by States, non-governmental organisations, and national human rights institutions also drew attention to the human rights situations in the DRC, Sudan, and others, including with respect to human rights defenders and fundamental freedoms like freedom of association and freedom of assembly.
On 3 May 2025, on the sidelines of the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ISHR co-sponsored a side event on the situation of human rights defenders in the Sahel, organised by the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation against Torture.
From 28 to 30 April 2025, participants in the NGO Forum held in Banjul, The Gambia, discussed key human rights and democracy issues affecting the continent, as well as the work of defenders. Participants contributed to the adoption of resolutions and recommendations, with a focus on reparations and transitional justice.
In a report launched today, ISHR examines China’s efforts to restrict access for independent civil society actors and human rights defenders to UN human rights bodies. The report provides an analysis of China’s membership of the UN Committee on NGOs, the growing presence of Chinese Government-Organised NGOs (GONGOs), and patterns of intimidation and reprisals by the Chinese government.
