In São Tome and Principe, civil society knows very little about the instruments adopted by international and regional human rights protection mechanisms to protect their rights, and how these can be used in the event of a violation. A recent civil society workshop provided a first step to change this.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights concluded its 79th Ordinary Session held in a hybrid format from 14 May to 3 June 2024. The Commission reviewed the human rights situation in Africa, examined eight communications and one State periodic report, granted observer status to 10 NGOs and held nine panels, among others.
On 16 May 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights presented information on its cooperation with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
Participants to the African Commission’s panel on its draft African Declaration on Human Rights Defenders highlighted the novelties of the Declaration and aspects the Declaration must consider to address such as emerging threats against defenders’ activities.
Following the presentation of the Activity Reports of the Special Rapporteur on Women at the African Commission, ISHR echoed a collective call for the protection of women human rights defenders in Sudan.
On 21 May 2024, ISHR delivered a statement highlighting issues related to the impacts of extractive industries on the defence of human rights and the environment.
On 21st May 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) examined the combined periodic reports of the Republic of Mozambique during its public ordinary session held from 14 May to 3rd June in hybrid mode. The report presents the progress made by Mozambique to effectively implement the African Charter between 2015 and 2021.
Following the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and focal point on reprisals’ presentation of his activity report, ISHR made a statement calling on him to publish his first annual report on reprisals and act proactively to prevent the adoption of restrictive civic space laws.
The African Commission held a panel on State reporting at its 79th Ordinary Session where panellists reviewed the benefits of the reporting mechanism and challenges States face in complying with their reporting obligation.
On 14 May 2024, ISHR delivered a statement on the situation of human rights in Africa, with a particular focus on the impact on civic space of the implementation of recommendation 8 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in African States as well as the need to ensure that existing measures and mechanisms to protect defenders are effective.
