Despite the African Union adopting the AGENDA 2063: “The Africa We Want” in May 2013, 2021- and beginning of 2022 have been marked by military coups in 5 African countries with considerable impact on human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and governance. This needs to change.
"Corruption is often written off as inevitable, harmless, or a victimless crime, but it is none of those things", reported the Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs. She called for the recognition of the important work of HRDs on anti-corruption.
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During the 67th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR or the Commission), ISHR delivered statements during the interactive dialogue regarding activity reports of the Commissioners of the Commission under item 6. The statements reminded the importance of protecting women's rights, raised concerns about the situation of human rights defenders facing intimidation, reprisals, and restriction, and noted that abuses against environmental, land, and indigenous people’s defenders continue to increase across Africa.
On 24 November, ISHR delivered a statement on the situation of human rights in Africa, with a particular focus on the restrictions to freedom of assembly in Africa and the recent arrests of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights’ (EIPR) staff in Egypt.
As part of the UPR process, a review of Guinea human rights record is scheduled to take place in January 2020. As a prelude, NGOS, State delegations and the NHRI gathered for the pre-session organized on 10 December 2019. This pre-session offered civil society a platform to directly advocate to State delegations ahead of the UPR session and facilitated the possibility for diplomatic delegations to ascertain information on Guinea’s human rights record.
As the year draws to a close, I am so proud of the work of my colleagues at ISHR, together with our partners around the globe, towards a world which is more fair, just, compassionate and peaceful.
And I am so thankful for your support in achieving this progress.
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In a welcome move, the UN Human Rights Committee has asked Guinea to adopt the draft bill for the promotion and protection of human rights defenders and ensure that it reflects the contributions of human rights organisations.
With three countries adopting a national law for the protection of defenders in the past five years, West Africa has become a leading region on the continent. Guinea recently made some steps to possibly join them soon.
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In a statement delivered today before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission), ISHR commended progress made on legal protection and recognition of human rights defenders while expressing serious concerns on increasing violations in various countries.
