ISHR
Sharing the documentation of the situation of human rights on the continent, the NGO Forum of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights gave, on 17 October 2025, the opportunity to sub-regional focal points to provide a brief description of the situation of HRDs in Africa.
Ahead of their participation in the 85th public session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission), civil society organisations (CSOs) looked at the situation of human rights on the continent. This prior assessment by the African focal points from the five regions of Africa, notably Central, East, North, Southern, and West, results in admitting that the situation of human rights, and especially the conditions of human rights defenders (HRDs) on the continent, is increasingly alarming.
Practices undermining the rights of HRDs and restricting their work environment are the same in almost all African countries. The recurring violations are:
These constant threats and recurring attacks limit HRDs’ freedom to carry out their legitimate activities. In view of the increasing number of cases, the moderator commented that, on the continent, :
An impression has been given as if detention is the norm and liberty is the exception.Sadikh Niass, Adviser Governing Council at African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
In view of these alarming facts, the panelists recommended that States parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter) should:
The UN General Assembly’s principal human rights committee—the Third Committee—has kicked off its deliberations. This year’s session will run for 7 weeks from 3 October to 21 November 2025. The Committee will be chaired by the Permanent Representative of Thailand. We present some key issues on the agenda below.
Three years after the UN Human Rights Office found that human rights violations in the Uyghur region (Xinjiang) may amount to crimes against humanity, the High Commissioner admits little progress while civil society warns the Council’s credibility is at stake.
The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council will consider issues including acts of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN, systemic racism, environment and climate justice, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. It will also present an opportunity to address grave human rights situations in States including Afghanistan, Burundi, China, Israel/oPt, Nicaragua, Russia, Sudan and Venezuela, and many others. Here's an overview of some of the key issues on the agenda.
