After a few years away I returned to the 81st ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Commission) held from 17 October to 6 November 2024 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul, Gambia.This recent session allowed me to reconnect with the environment and meet privately with the commissioners. During this meeting, I shared my observations on current trends and discussed the areas I believe the Commission should focus on in the coming years.

I also had the pleasure of participating in a panel discussion featuring a report from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, which documented its visit to the African Union’s Judicial and Human Rights Organs and other regional bodies.During the discussion, I emphasized the necessity of strengthening cooperation between the African Human Rights System and the global community to effectively address enforced disappearances and other human rights violations throughout Africa. I also referenced the Addis Ababa Road Map, a collaborative initiative by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN Human Rights Council. Enforced disappearances are particularly concerning in Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria.

The issue of enforced disappearances remains critical, and there is an urgent need for a coordinated international response to protect those at risk and enhance human rights safeguards across the continent.

Since 2009, DefendDefenders has been actively working to strengthen the special mechanisms of the Commission and enable grassroots human rights defenders (HRDs) and young activists on the continent to access its sessions.The 81st session, highlighted the Commission’s vital role in promoting human rights and aligning with the African Union’s vision for justice and dignity for the African citizenry. 

DefendDefenders, in collaboration with AfricanDefenders, facilitated the participation of 47 HRDs from various regions, including East and Horn of Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, Central Africa, and West Africa. This support aimed at connecting marginalised groups and HRDs, including pro-democracy activists, artists, youth advocates, climate justice activists, women, and minority communities, to regional mechanisms and enabling them to engage with and access them effectively.

In a more practical way, the HRDs contributed varied perspectives through numerous side events and statements.

A total of 11 side events were organized, including three country-specific panel discussions focused on civic space in Kenya and Uganda. The thematic panels addressed various topics, such as strategies to combat digital repression in Africa, the protection and promotion of environmental rights, the civil society rights landscape in North Africa, the status of human rights defenders (HRDs) in Francophone Africa, and the need for accountability in assembly policing. Special attention was given to the Arusha Initiative and Declaration +25, with dedicated panels fostering dynamic discussions that significantly contributed to the exchange of ideas surrounding pressing human rights issues.

The Commission adopted country-specific resolutions during deliberations, illustrating its proactive approach to addressing urgent human rights issues. Notably, the Commission renewed the mandate of the Joint Fact-Finding Mission to the Republic of Sudan, emphasizing the need for ongoing international monitoring amidst the conflict that has affected Sudan since April 2023. The civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has resulted in extensive destruction, significant civilian casualties, mass displacement, and severe humanitarian crises. Renewing the mission’s mandate facilitates continued investigation, evidence collection, and the development of recommendations aimed at promoting justice, accountability, and a pathway toward stability in Sudan.

The resolution on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Working on Environmental Issues in Uganda, adopted during the NGO forum session and later by the Commission, addresses the increasing threats faced by environmental HRD in Uganda. These defenders often oppose powerful corporate and political interests and encounter harassment, violence, and legal challenges while advocating for the protection of the environment and vulnerable communities. The resolution calls for stronger legal protections to ensure these defenders can carry out their crucial work without fear of retribution. By promoting reforms and safeguarding HRDs, the resolution supports the broader goals of sustainable development and environmental justice in Uganda, empowering those who defend both human rights and the environment to continue their vital work.

Additionally, the Resolution on Pre- and Post-Electoral Instability in Mozambique aims to address the country’s recurring violence and instability associated with election periods. It acknowledges the historical challenges of election-related violence, particularly in politically sensitive regions. The resolution emphasizes peaceful, fair, and transparent electoral processes. It calls for constructive dialogue and collaboration among political parties to prevent violence and human rights abuses during pre- and post-electoral phases. By promoting peacebuilding efforts and fostering an inclusive environment, the resolution seeks to create a more stable and democratic political landscape, ensuring that elections in Mozambique are conducted in a manner that respects human rights and the rule of law.

DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders remain committed to supporting the Commission’s work to ensure it fulfills its mandate to protect and promote human rights in Africa.

Hassan Shire

Executive Director, DefendDefenders & Chairperson, AfricanDefenders