Call for submissions: First report on intimidation and reprisals in Africa

The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR or The Commission), was appointed in 2014 as the Focal Point on reprisals in Africa.

At the last session of the ACHPR, the Focal Point, Remy Ngoy Lumbu, launched the policy and information note on how to communicate with his mandate regarding reprisals (linked here in English, French), which gives more clarity on the work of the mandate and encourages defenders to engage with the mandate on this important issue.

In line with the working methods outlined in the policy and information note, the Focal Point on Reprisals has called for submissions to his first annual report (link to the call here in English, French). The deadline to submit is 12 May 2020. The first report will be presented to the ACHPR at the 67^th session in October 2020.

The report will summarize main trends and contain a selection of cases brought to the attention of the focal point, with the decision to include cases made on the basis of the principles of do no harm and informed consent. The Focal Point is welcoming contributions on either thematic trends and patterns or individual cases occurring up.

The relevant reporting period is 12 May 2014 (when the mandate was originally created by a resolution of the ACHPR) until 12 May 2020. In subsequent years, the relevant reporting period will be the previous year.

Submissions should be sent by 12 May 2020 to Estelle Nkounkou [email protected].