© ISHR
Our new report sheds light into the lived realities of HRDs in six often-overlooked countries: Cape Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles. One thing is clear: human rights defenders in these countries are active, courageous, and committed to building more inclusive and just societies.
What does it mean to be a human rights defender (HRD) on an island country in Africa?
ISHR is proud to publish the very first report focusing on the situation of defenders in the island states of Africa. This landmark report assesses existing protective measures, identifies good practices and challenges faced by defenders as well as their protection needs and areas for improvement. It highlights country-specific trends and good practices, as well as the common systemic gaps that still need to be addressed. It’s a call to strengthen protections, support local efforts, and ensure that no defender is left behind, regardless of where they live.
The report will be launched during the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Based on direct testimonies from defenders and national authorities collected between 2023 and 2024, the report reveals that the common aspect of being island countries in Africa does not mean that the violations or restrictions faced by defenders in these countries are similar.
"It is important that the island States of Africa are not left behind and that their civil society is supported, heard and feels part of the wider human rights movement in Africa."Adélaïde Etong Kame, Senior Africa Programme Manager, ISHR
📌 Key findings include:
🔍 What the report calls for:
💡 Why it matters:
These islands may be small in size, but they are not isolated in the struggle for rights. HRDs in these countries play a vital role in defending democracy, environmental justice, and human dignity. They deserve to work in an environment that protects their rights.
On 15 June 2022, the National Assembly of Niger passed a law on the rights and duties of human rights defenders. This makes Niger the fourth African country to adopt such a law. However, for the law to produce the desired effects, it must be widely known and understood by all stakeholders. The establishment of an independent and inclusive protection mechanism will ensure the full implementation of the law.
The adoption of the draft law approving the status of Non-Governmental Organisation in Angola by the National Assembly considerably limits in its provisions the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and shrinks civic and democratic space. We are calling the Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights defenders to help address this situation.
On 10 May 2023, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) held a panel aiming to discuss ways to realise States’ obligations regarding the production of ESCR data and its use in policy-making, as well as how the Commission could work with States in realising them.
