After three years of online sessions, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Commission) resumed meetings in person. This 73rd session (20 October - 9 November 2022), which coincided with the 35th anniversary of the Commission, was held in Banjul, The Gambia, immediately after the Forum on the Participation of NGOs (17 - 18 October 2022).
For the first time since 2019, the Forum on the Participation of NGOs (NGO Forum) ahead of the African Commission's session was held in person, also in Banjul, with discussions focusing on human rights and governance in Africa.
On 22 October, ISHR co-organised a side event on the state of civic space in Africa to discuss best practices from recent years in the protection of defenders and civil society groups from different parts of the continent.
The Commission examined Côte d'Ivoire's periodic report for the period between 2016 and 2019, noting thatthe country's mechanism for the protection of defenders is under the authority of four ministries and that it excludes defenders.
For the first time since its establishment, the African Commission released guidelines on civil society reports ahead of State reviews for relevant stakeholders, including National Human Rights Institutions and NGOs with observer status.
On 24 October, experts and members of over 20 rights groups launched the Esperanza Protocol, which aims to bolster policies to effectively address threats against human rights defenders.
A panel of civil society organisation members looked back at ten years of cooperation between the UN and African Commission's Special Procedures mechanisms, as well as their own role in this process known as the Addis-Ababa Road Map.
On 24 October, ISHR delivered a statement focusing on the worsening situation in Egypt ahead of COP27, the shrinking civic space in Zimbabwe, and the murder of Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) movement members in South Africa.
NGO FORUM & 73rd SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION: READ OUR FULL COVERAGE:
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71st SESSION'S SUMMARY
The 71st session of the African Commission took place online between 21 April and 13 May 2022, after the Forum on the Participation of NGOs (19 - 20 April). Debates at both meetings addressed the impact of crises on the achievement of human rights on the continent and post-Covid-19 reconstruction.
In 2022, we marked ten years since the adoption of the Addis-Ababa Road Map aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Special Procedures at both the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
On 19-20 April 2022, the NGO Forum brought together human rights defenders and civil society organisations to share evidence and testimonies of human rights violations on the African continent and discuss ways to address them.
Nealry 700 delegates attended the meetings of the 71st Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to discuss efforts to ensure the realisation of human rights on the continent
On 22 April 2022, the African Commission held a panel on the intersections between sustainable development and human rights, and how both could contribute to ensuring accountability for States and business entities.
ISHR and Rencontre pour la paix et les droits de l’Homme (RPDH) called upon the African Commission to urge the Republic of Congo to comply with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) rules on transparency.
ISHR and the Committee For Justice (CFJ) called on the African Commission to issue public statements condemning the violations faced by detainees in Egypt and urging the country to address inhumane prison conditions.
In a statement following the presentation of the report of the Special Rapporteur on defenders in Africa, ISHR called for the genuine inclusion of civil society views and concerns in newly-established protection mechanisms.
NGO FORUM & 71st SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION: READ OUR FULL COVERAGE:
Recommendations to prevent unconstitutional changes of government in AfricaREAD MORE >
Kenya should strengthen its legal framework protecting defenders READ MORE >
States in Africa must guarantee the effectiveness of human rights READ MORE >
Impact and challenges of Post-Covid-19 on human rights in Africa READ MORE >
ISHR would like to thank Irish Aid for their generosity in supporting this publication.
Kumulika is a newsletter produced by ISHR with the aim of informing readers of developments and opportunities around the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
