African Commission: Alert on NGO Forum and 85th Ordinary Session

The NGO Forum 

The Forum on the Participation of NGOs in ordinary sessions of the African Commission, also known as the ‘NGO Forum’, is an advocacy platform coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) to promote advocacy and networking among human rights NGOs on one hand, and on the other hand between NGOs and Commissioners – attending some of the events – for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa. The NGO Forum provides an opportunity for local and international NGOs to share updates on the human rights situation in Africa, promoting and protecting human rights on the continent. Its relevance is enhanced by the fact that at the official opening of the African Commission session, a representative of the NGO Forum shares with the African Commission the situation of human rights, their implications on the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa, and the adopted resolutions at the NGO Forum. 

The discussions at the Forum will be centred around the African Union’s theme of the year: ‘The Year of Reparations: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descendent Through Reparations” and will cover different human rights thematics. 

ACDHRS-Interest-Group

The Forum will deliberate on the following sub-themes: 

1. Reparations: Historical justice and contemporary relevance, reparations for slavery, colonialism, and systemic racism remain central to the human rights agenda. Beyond symbolic recognition, reparations are critical for addressing intergenerational trauma, economic inequalities, and the restitution of stolen cultural heritage. Calls for restitution have grown stronger, with global advocacy demanding that reparations be integrated into development and justice frameworks. 
2. Unconstitutional changes of government in West and Central Africa: In recent years, West and Central Africa have witnessed repeated unconstitutional changes of government, including in Mali, Guinea, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Gabon. These power shifts undermine democratic principles, destabilise societies, and exacerbate human rights violations. Addressing these crises requires accountability and measures to restore trust in governance systems. 
3. Shrinking civic space and restrictions on freedoms: Civil society continues to face repression, with governments across Africa restricting freedoms of assembly, association, and expression. Reports from countries such as Cameroon, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, and Egypt highlight systematic crackdowns on human rights defenders, journalists, and NGOs. Shrinking civic space undermines the role of civil society in promoting reparative and transformative justice. 
4. Elections, democracy, and the third-term phenomenon: The manipulation of constitutions to allow third presidential terms has become an emerging threat to democracy in Africa. This phenomenon, observed in several States, weakens democratic institutions and erodes public trust. The Forum will highlight the human rights implications of electoral manipulation and authoritarian entrenchment. 
5. Impunity for human rights violations: Across the continent, impunity persists for gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence. Reparations cannot be meaningful without accountability, and addressing impunity is key to ensuring non-repetition and transitional justice. 
6. Environmental rights and protection of indigenous peoples: Environmental degradation, climate change, and exploitation of natural resources disproportionately affect Indigenous communities and marginalised groups. Land dispossession, deforestation, and extractive industries have led to widespread displacement. Linking environmental justice with reparations ensures that vulnerable communities receive redress for the destruction of their livelihoods and ecosystems. 
7. People of African descent and reparations: Diaspora communities continue to demand reparations for slavery and colonial exploitation. Global initiatives have highlighted the need for restitution, cultural recognition, and acknowledgment of the role of Africans in shaping global history. Strengthening solidarity between Africa and its diaspora is essential in advancing the reparations agenda. 
8. Global political and economic challenges: Illicit financial flows, exploitation of natural resources, and debt burdens continue to deprive African States of critical resources for development. Reparations must be connected to global economic justice, including the fair distribution of wealth and resources. 
9. Rights of vulnerable groups: Women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence remain disproportionately affected by inequality and discrimination. Gender-sensitive and inclusive reparations frameworks are critical for ensuring justice that addresses the needs of all vulnerable groups. 
10. The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: A landmark instrument. It reflects the continent’s commitment to eliminating all forms of gender-based violence and harmful practices. It seeks to harmonise legal frameworks, strengthen accountability, and provide comprehensive measures for prevention, protection, and survivor-centered responses across Member States. This Convention is pivotal to advancing gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development in Africa. 

The Forum will cover three main thematic areas: 

1. Status of Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, updates from subregional focal points on the general situation. 
2. Networking for human rights in Africa: adoption of strategies, best practices for contribution towards the attainment of peace, security and development in Africa. 
3. Special interest group discussions, which will allow participants to identify recommendations to address challenges raised in panel discussions. 

Panel discussions will discuss the following themes: 

• Reparations – Justice for Africans and People of African Descent. 
• Governance and Unconstitutional Changes of Government. 
• Civic Space Under Threat. 
• Democracy, Elections, and the Third-Term Syndrome. 
• Ending Impunity for Human Rights Violations. 
• Environmental Justice and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights. 
• Global Economic Justice and Reparations. 
• Protecting the Rights of Vulnerable Groups. 
• The African Union Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls. 

What will the NGO Forum achieve? 

The expected outcomes of the NGO Forum are the following: 

• Increased awareness: a more informed dialogue on reparations within civil society and among policymakers. 
• Collaborative framework: building networks and partnerships to advocate for reparative justice. 
• Action plan: a concrete action plan outlining steps for NGOs to take in promoting reparations. 
• Documentation: a comprehensive report summarising discussions, findings, and recommendations from forums. 

The 85th Ordinary Session 

WHEN:  

• Private Session, virtual & closed to the public: from 7 to 17 October 2025 
• Public Session, in-person & Open to the public: from 21 to 30 October 2025 

CEREMONY: 

Events are scheduled as per The Gambia time, GMT + 0 

• Opening: (In-person) Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 09:00 – 11: 30 
• Closing: (In-person) Thursday 30 October 2025 10:00 – 11:30 

WHERE:  Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Kololi, The Gambia (for the Public & Open Session) 

This is an in-person session with Commissioners and various participants, including representatives of the African Union, member states, national human rights institutions, and civil society organisations. 

All public session documents of the 85th Ordinary Session are available here. 

How can you follow the session? 

Live streams of the public sessions will be available on the ACHPR’s YouTube page.  

ISHR will monitor and report on key developments at the 85th ordinary session of the African Commission. Follow us on X/Twitter at @ISHRglobal, or at @ISHR_fr for French content using #ACHPR85. Our staff can also be followed at @Lidawh-weD, @AITremblay, @salome_ishr and @salma_ishr. 

Find us on Bluesky at @ishr.ch, @aitremblay.bsky.social, @lidawh-wed.bsky.social and @salomeishr.bsky.social. 

What advocacy opportunities does the African Commission offer? 

Human rights situation in Africa (Item 4) 

Under this item, civil society organisations with observer status can make a statement highlighting specific issues relating to human rights enshrined in the African Charter. This opportunity can be used to call the attention of the African Commission to specific issues or even update the African Commission on an issue brought to its attention previously. 

1. Key Outcomes of the Forums of National Human Rights Institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations. 
2. Statements on Human Rights Situation in Africa. 

• • Statements by State Delegates 
  • Statement by African Union Organs with a Human Rights Mandate 
  • Statements by Intergovernmental and International Organizations 
  • Statements by National Human Rights Institutions 
  • Statements by Non-Governmental Organisations 

Panels (Item 5) 

This item provides an opportunity for constructive dialogue between members of the African Commission and representatives of human rights organisations on issues that are not only timely but also essential to the effectiveness of human rights on the continent. 

1. Panel on the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (21 Cctober, 16:30 – 17:30) 
2. Panel on externalization of migration management: legal issues, current challenges, and the responsibilities of African States (22 October, 14:30 – 15:30) 
3. Panel on the Protocols on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities: one year after their entry into force – lessons learned and future perspectives for enhanced rights protection (24 October, 09:00 – 10:00) 
4. Panel on extrajudicial killings in the context of the fight against terrorism in Africa (24 October, 10:00 – 11:00) 
5. Panel on the study of the use of force and launch of newsletter number 18 on police and human rights (26 October, 16:30 – 17:30) 
6. Panel of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa (28 October, 09:00 – 10:00) 
7. Panel on strategies for advancing the implementation of ACHPR decisions: reflections, experiences and new directions (28 October, 10:00 – 11:00) 
8. Panel on advocacy for ratification of treaties under ACHPR’s oversight (AU Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls; Protocol on the Rights of Citizens to Social Security; Protocol on the Eradication of Statelessness; Protocol on Older Persons in Africa; Protocol on Persons with Disabilities in Africa) (28 October, 11:30 – 12:30) 

Activity Reports of the Members of the Commission & Special Mechanisms (Item 7) 

Every Commissioner has under its mandate five countries in Africa. During the session, civil society organisations have the opportunity to meet with the Commissioner who has their country under its mandate. As a participant, it is important to seize this moment to update the mandate on the issues specific to your country and, more specifically, call the Commissioner’s attention to an issue you want them to raise with the State directly or during the session. 

All year long, it is recommended that civil society share information with Special Rapporteurs. During sessions, civil society organisations can make statements during the presentation of each Commissioner, including Special Rapporteurs, and activity reports highlighting important issues of interest. 

1. Chairperson of the ACHPR on activities of the Chairperson & Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Reprisals in Africa 
2. Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa 
3. Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detentions, and Policing in Africa 
4. Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa 
5. Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa 
6. Chairperson of the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV and those at Risk, Vulnerable to, and Affected by HIV 
7. Chairperson of the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in Africa 
8. Chairperson of the Committee on the Prevention of Torture in Africa 
9. Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Africa 
10. Chairperson of the Working Group on Death Penalty and Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Killings, and Enforced Disappearances in Africa 
11. Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities in Africa 
12. Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment, and Human Rights Violations in Africa 
13. Chairperson of the Working Group on Communications 

Consideration of State Reports (Item 9) 

Under article 62 of the African Charter, States are required to submit a report every two years on the legislative and other measures taken with a view to giving effect to the rights and freedoms recognised and guaranteed by the Charter. During the examination process, civil society organisations can submit reports ahead of the session during which countries will be reviewed to inform the African Commission’s recommendations and provide States with guidance on how they can better implement their obligations. Civil society organisations thus have the opportunity to constructively engage with the Commission and States on the realisation of human rights across the continent. 

During this session, pursuant to Article 62 of the African Charter, which imposes on States the obligation to report every two years on the legislative and other measures taken with a view to giving effect to the rights and freedoms recognised and guaranteed by the African Charter, four countries will be reviewed. 

• Botswana covering the period 2018-2023 (26 October, 14:30 – 16:30) 
• Egypt covering the period 2019-2024 (25 October, 14:30 – 16:30) 
• Mauritius covering the period 2019-2024 (25 October, 9:15 – 11:00) 
• Tunisia covering the period 2006-2024 (25 October, 11:30 – 13:30) 

For the full programme of the session, click here. 

What will ISHR do during this session? 

Statements 

During this session, ISHR will deliver several statements under Items 4 and 7: 

1. Human Rights Situation in Africa (item 4) 
2. Activity Reports (item 7) 

• Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa 
• Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa 

Side events

• Enforced Disappearances in the Context of the Defense of Land, Natural Resources, and the Environment; co-organised with Frontline Defenders and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights 
• The Price of Truth: Documentation, Reprisals, and the Protection of Human Rights Defenders; co-organised with the OMCT, FIACAT, ISHR, Centre for Civil and Political Rights, and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims