SUB REGIONAL UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF DEMOCRACY, RULE OF LAW, AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA
In recent months, the East and Horn of Africa region has continued to grapple with crisis in human rights and democracy, characterized by widespread suppression of civic space, persistent political instability, and targeted violence against human rights defenders (HRDs). The region has faced challenges stemming from conflict and governance issues, contributing to a deteriorating human rights landscape. According to the Economist, sub-Saharan Africa suffered a significant democratic reversal in 2023, with its regional average score falling from 4.14 in 2022 to 4.04 in 2023. More than 40% of the 44 countries in the region covered by the Democracy Index experienced a decline in their scores. Further, the Civic Space Monitor reports that currently, 44 out of 49 African countries are rated as obstructed, repressed, or closed,reflecting a significantly restrictive environment for civic freedoms. The majority of countries in this sub region are classified as repressed, including Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, one as obstructed (Kenya), and two as closed (Djibouti and Eritrea). These classifications reflect the decline of democracy, rule of law and realisation of human rights and fundametal freedoms.
Several countries in the sub region are gearing up for elections including Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan. Past experiences reveal that electoral periods present challenging times for human rights defenders (HRDs). The situation in Tanzania for instance is worrying with the increased attacks on critical voices challenging the status quo. Although the elections in South Sudan have been postponed for two years, the current context is hostile especially as HRDs call for reforms ahead of the now 2026 elections. The restrictive legal environment with the recent adoption of National Security Service law further worsens an already volatile situation.
HRDs and journalists in the region face increased harassment and violence. In Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, authorities have employed excessive force during protests, resulting in deaths and mass arrests, with over 300 protesters arrested during recent demonstrations against a proposed Tax Bill in Kenya. Internet restrictions further undermine the right to freedom of expression. Reports from Burundi indicate a rise in kidnappings, enforced disappearances, and assaults on journalists, while Rwanda’s civic space remains tightly controlled. The country’s restrictive environment during the presidential and parliamentary elections in July 2024, where President Kagame was re-elected with over 99% of the votes, highlights ongoing political repression. Djibouti and Eritrea continues to impose severe limitations on fundamental freedoms, consistently ranking among the most closed countries globally regarding civic space.
Ethiopia’s human rights situation remains critical, with ongoing armed conflicts exacerbating the humanitarian crises in the Oromia and Amhara regions. Despite officially ending the state of emergency, the Ethiopian government has made minimal progress in ensuring accountability for widespread violations. In South Sudan, HRDs and journalists face persistent threats, and the recent decision to postpone the December election by two years raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic governance and accountability. In Sudan, the conflict and instability have led to alarming human rights abuses, with HRDs, journalists, and civilians facing extreme violence and repression. Furthermore, Somalia grapples with conflicts against Al-Shabaab, resulting in significant human rights violations that endanger journalists from both state and non-state actors. The overall environment for civil society remains troubling, with HRDs advocating for marginalized groups such as environmental activists in Tanzania and Uganda, and those addressing sexual orientation and gender identity issues in Burundi, Kenya, and Uganda facing increasing risks.
In light of these challenges, we urge governments in the East and Horn of Africa to uphold international human rights standards by protecting HRDs, journalists, and civil society organizations from violence and repression. We further call on governments to foster an enabling environment on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.
Recommendations
- Urge all states parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to protect HRDs, by strictly adhering to the provisions of the Charter and other international and regional instruments to which they are parties, as well as the United Nations Declaration on HRDs.
- Call on governments to end the excessive use of force, including tear gas, bullets, and arrests, during peaceful protests and ensure law enforcement officers adhere to international standards on the use of force and firearms, to ensure the safety and rights of demonstrators.
- Urge all countries to strengthen monitoring and accountability mechanisms to address human rights violations, foster a culture where perpetrators are held accountable for their actions especially in election processes.
- Urge all governments to cease the intimidation and harassment of opposition figures, allow them to freely express their views and participate in political processes without fear of reprisal.
- Call on the Ethiopian government to end all restrictions on civil society organisations, including surveillance, harassment and to ensure these organisations can operate freely.
- Call on the Ethiopian government to implement targeted measures against technology-facilitated gender-based violence affecting women HRDs through establishing support networks, providing legal aid, and enforcing strict penalties for online abuse.
- Urge the governments of Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya, and the authorities in Sudan to immediately restore unrestricted internet and social media access, end censorship and harassment of journalists and media personnel, and uphold freedom of expression.
- Call on all countries to protect freedom of expression, end the arrests and intimidation of journalists and HRDs, enact laws that guarantee their rights to report and advocate freely to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Call on the government of Tanzania to respect the rights of indigenous populations in Ngorongoro, end the forced relocation of Maasai communities and restore their access to essential services and cultural sites.
- Call on all parties to the conflict in Sudan to grant immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian aid across the country, especially in conflict-affected areas, to address the urgent needs of millions facing hunger and impending famine.
- Call on the Joint Fact-Finding Mission into the human rights situation in Sudan established as per ACHPR Resolution 590 to ensure the complementarity of its efforts with those of other actors, in particular the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Fact-Finding Mission established by the UN Human Rights Council, and other appropriate regional and international entities.
- Call on the government of Eritrea and Djibouti to provide a safe and enabling environment for civil society to flourish and protect the rights of all individuals to freely express their opinions.
Honourable Chairperson,
Honourable Commissioners,
Distinguished State Delegates,
All protocols observed,
Our forefathers envisioned a continent where human dignity, freedom, and justice would reign supreme. Yet today, state parties and apparatus have seized this opportunity to perpetrate egregious violations against their citizens in contradiction with the African Charter. In addition, some States have refused to cooperate and implement the recommendations of this August house.
Nowhere is this stark reality more evident than in Sudan, where the ongoing crisis tragically goes unnoticed. Sudanese asylum seekers face exorbitant visa costs in neighbouring countries like Ethiopia merely to escape the violence—not to seek better lives, but to survive.
Nations like Egypt, which once opened its doors, have now introduced visa restrictions that send a harrowing message: African lives are expendable. The crisis in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso remains largely ignored. We urgently demand an immediate response to this humanitarian crisis and reaffirm our need to protect those fleeing violence.
The current human rights landscape in several African nations paints a troubling picture. In Kenya, the right to peaceful assembly is facing systematic erosion, with authorities employing digital surveillance to target dissenters both online and offline. This crackdown not only stifles democratic voices but also jeopardises the freedom and safety of those who speak out.
In Ethiopia, authorities are increasingly employing legal frameworks, such as criminal law, anti-terrorism measures, hate speech and disinformation legislation, and administrative laws, to suppress and undermine the work of human rights defenders (HRDs). Frequent states of emergency, ongoing armed conflicts, and the risks associated with conducting human rights reporting and investigations in conflict settings have made the work of HRDs extremely perilous. Since April 2024, 19 HRDs, including journalists, members of civil society organizations (CSOs), and artist HRDs, have been detained. Additionally, over 12 HRDs have been forced into exile due to repeated arbitrary detentions, torture, death threats, and intimidation. Feminist and online activists face life-threatening dangers and various forms of intimidation, yet receive no protection from the government.
Similarly, in Nigeria, citizens expressing grievances are confronted with arrests and treason charges, casting a shadow over the nation’s commitment to liberty. This trend raises alarm about Nigeria’s potential shift toward a closed society, demanding accountability from its leaders.
Uganda faces the dual challenge of climate change and its disproportionate impact on women and children. There are pressing appeals for stronger legal protections for women’s land rights and a human rights-based approach to carbon trade regulations to combat food insecurity.
In Algeria, despite constitutional protections, the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is increasingly suppressed. Activists and journalists encounter arbitrary detention and harassment under vague anti-terrorism laws. Urging the government to uphold these freedoms is essential for a healthy civil society.
Since July 25, 2021, Tunisia’s democratic institutions have faced significant erosion, resulting in a troubling decline in human rights. Key concerns include irregularities in the presidential election process due to the absence of an independent judiciary, which undermines electoral credibility.
Additionally, political prisoners, including opposition leaders and journalists, are subjected to unfair trials and prolonged detention based on vague charges.
Finally, Tunisia’s treatment of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa raises human rights concerns, including arbitrary detention and discrimination. As we see now, 3 HRDs who have worked on migrant issues have been in detention for the past six months on charges of aiding sub-Saharan migrants.
We call on the immediate release of our comrades!
Hon. Chairperson,
In Burkina Faso, civilians are trapped in a cycle of violence between armed groups and military forces, leading to instability and displacement. The decision to withdraw from ECOWAS raises concerns over accountability and human rights protection in the region. There is an urgent need for holistic solutions that prioritise the protection of civilians and empower youth and women during these challenging times.
We call on the African Commission, in collaboration with the African Union Peace and Security Council, to monitor the current situation of systematic human rights violations, which could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, and request the African Commission, within the framework of the Addis Ababa Roadmap, to set up a special mechanism on Burkina Faso in collaboration with the United Nations Human Rights Council,
Honourable Chairperson,
We stand at a critical juncture. The promises of freedom, justice, and dignity—cherished by our forefathers—are under siege. We must unite in defence of Africa’s human rights. We cannot overlook the reality that freedom of assembly is being crushed by state violence, freedom of expression suffocated by censorship, and digital rights weaponised against those fighting for justice.
We appreciate the Zimbabwean government’s willingness to engage with civil society regarding the Private Voluntary Organisations Bill. However, we urge the President of Zimbabwe to consider the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly, adopted in Niamey in 2014, and the concerns and recommendations made by civil society organisations. Any law or regulation should create an enabling environment for civic engagement and not restrict civic space.
Thank you.
Honourable Chairperson,
Honourable Commissioners,
Distinguished State delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
DefendDefenders welcomes the opportunity to bring to the Commission’s attention the current business climate in Africa and its impact on the realization of human rights for all.
Over the past six months, Africa has faced significant challenges and notable violations in the area of business and human rights. Despite ongoing efforts to improve corporate accountability and safeguard human rights, numerous incidents across the continent highlight persistent gaps in implementing and enforcing international human rights standards.
Hon Chairperson, in recent years, Africa has emerged as a focal point for discussions on sustainable development, largely driven by its vast natural resources and youthful population. However, this potential for economic growth comes with a crucial responsibility of ensuring that business practices not only promote profit but also uphold human rights and environmental integrity. It is imperative to recognise that the extraction of resources must not come at the expense of local communities. The realities faced by those in mining regions range from forced labor, forced eveiction and environmental degradation.
In Uganda, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has raised significant concerns regarding its environmental and social impacts. Over 81 households along the pipeline route have reported forced evictions, inadequate compensation, and a lack of consultation, leading to severe disruptions in their livelihoods. Similarly, in Tanzania, the situation in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area remains tense, with continued forced evictions of Maasai communities driven by tourism and conservation projects. These actions have occurred without adequate consultation or compensation, infringing on the rights of indigenous people and escalating tensions in the region.
In the mineral-rich eastern region of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the competition for resources continues to attract various militia groups, who exploit the area with impunity. The ongoing lawlessness has led to severe human rights violations, including rape and sexual violence against women human rights defenders who challenge their actions and seek accountability. As a result, the region remains engulfed in insecurity, with grave consequences for local communities, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, who are forced into labor under diffficult conditions
We condemn the ongoing human rights violations and environmental destruction perpetuated by businesses and state actors across the continent. We urge African governments to take immediate action, offer due compensation in case of consensual relocation to rectify these injustices and ensure that the pursuit of economic growth does not infringe on the rights and livelihoods of Africa’s people.
Thank you.
Honourable Chairperson,
Distinguished Commissioners,
State Delegates represented,
All protocols observed!
We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of women, and extend our congratulations to you and the Commission for the commendable achievements made during this intersession in the protection and promotion of women’s rights in Africa. In particular, we deeply appreciate your leadership in successfully advocating against the reversal of the ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, ensuring that the significant progress made across the continent in criminalising this harmful practice is preserved and protected.
We also wish to acknowledge and commend the proactive role the Commission has played in fostering collaboration with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights during this intersession. We are confident that this collaboration will yield positive outcomes for the protection and promotion of women’s rights, reinforcing the global framework for gender equality.
Honourable Commissioner,
On 28 September 2024, you issued a joint statement on the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, urging all Member States to enact laws and policies that ensure affordable, accessible, and safe abortion services. While this call to action is laudable, the ongoing restriction of civic space, through the misuse of legislation to suppress human rights defenders, significantly hinders the ability of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) to advocate for these progressive reforms at the national level.
In Cameroon, for example, the 2014 Anti-Terrorism Law continues to infringe on the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Women human rights defenders are required to obtain administrative approval for activities, a request often denied when the work challenges societal norms, such as advocating for abortion rights. These restrictions are not only detrimental to women human rights defenders but also undermine efforts to push forward essential reforms in sexual and reproductive health.
Similarly, in Kenya, this has been a particularly devastating year for women and girls, with a disturbing rise in gender-based violence (GBV), particularly femicide, often linked to the suppression of peaceful assembly. These acts of violence against women have occurred amidst public protests, revealing the systemic failure to protect women’s safety and rights in such contexts.
Honourable Commissioner,
We also raise serious concerns regarding the alarming increase in technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), particularly targeting women in politics and public life. During recent protests in Kenya, widespread reports emerged of sexual violence facilitated through digital platforms. Beyond the harm inflicted on individual women, technology-facilitated gender-based violence has a chilling effect, leading to self-censorship and reduced civic participation by women. This digital authoritarianism worsens existing threats to women’s rights and deepens the marginalisation of women from political and public spaces.
Honourable Commissioner,
In Libya, the restrictions imposed by the Internal Security Agency under the Government of National Unity in Tripoli severely curtail the freedoms of women and girls, particularly their civil liberties and rights to mobility. Women are often forced to justify their travel without male companions across various regions of the country, including at airports and border crossings. For women human rights defenders, these restrictions create significant barriers, hindering their ability to carry out their essential work in an already hostile environment. The situation in Libya requires urgent attention, especially in light of the deeply entrenched cultural and religious barriers that women and girls must navigate.
Honourable Commissioner,
We have documented mass violations of the rights of women human rights defenders in Zimbabwe in the lead-up to the 44th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, recently held in Harare. This summit was exploited by the state to target and silence activists, with numerous women human rights defenders subjected to arrest, enforced disappearance, torture, and inhumane prison conditions. While some human rights defenders have since been acquitted by the courts, there remains an urgent need for accountability and redress to address the long-term impacts of these violations on women human rights defenders.
In addition, we are deeply troubled by the devastating lack of adequate care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict-affected areas such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Sahel. Despite the prevalence of sexual violence as a weapon of war in these contexts, survivors continue to face barriers in accessing critical services, including sexual and reproductive healthcare and psychosocial support. Both State and non-State actors actively target women human rights defenders and first responders who document these violations or provide services to survivors. The complete shutdown of telecommunication services in these regions has further have made it increasingly difficult for women human rights defenders to report the atrocities that women and girls face.
Honourable Commissioner,
Despite the heavy personal and professional costs involved, women human rights defenders across Africa continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and tenacity in their work. Yet, human rights activism remains widely perceived as an inappropriate role for women, a view entrenched by deeply patriarchal norms.
We call on you, Honourable Commissioner, to intensify the monitoring of the implementation of the Maputo Protocol by Member States, ensuring that they are held accountable to their obligations. In particular, we urge you to prioritise the protection of women human rights defenders, whose rights remain under constant threat.
We also urge you to advocate for Member States to invest in long-term community engagement initiatives aimed at dismantling patriarchal systems that hinder women’s full participation in civil society.
I thank you.
Honourable Chairpersons,
Distinguished Commissioners,
State Delegates represented,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We appreciate the opportunity to raise concerns regarding the situation of exiled Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) across the continent, particularly their rights to life, liberty, security, and freedom of expression, including access to information and the ability to publish and disseminate it.
HRDs play a crucial role in promoting good governance, accountability, and democratic practices. They serve as watchdogs, holding governments accountable and advocating for the rights of marginalized populations. By illuminating injustices and mobilizing civil society, HRDs contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions and the protection of human rights. Their work is vital for fostering transparency and ensuring that citizens can participate meaningfully in governance processes.
In East Africa, we are alarmed by the transnational repression tactics employed by the governments of Rwanda and South Sudan, which includes the abduction and enforced disappearance of HRDs residing outside their jurisdictions. The abduction of vocal government critic Morris Mabior Awkjok Bak from Nairobi, Kenya, and his subsequent arbitrary detention for over a year on baseless defamation charges exemplifies this troubling trend. Similarly, reports indicate that Rwandan refugee rights’ advocate, Yusuf Ahmed Gasana, a critic of the Rwandan government was abducted from his home in Kenya in May 2023, has been sighted in clandestine detention facilities in Rwanda. We also note the abduction and subsequent arrest of Cameroonian online critic Steven Akam, who had lived in Gabon before being forcibly returned to Cameroon in handcuffs. It is imperative to raise the political costs associated with transnational repression, as collaborations among state security apparatuses jeopardize the lives of human rights defenders, leading to their refoulement, arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detentions.
We also express deep concern over the ongoing hostilities in Sudan, which have displaced over ten million people, including many HRDs. While we commend the Commission’s willingness to collaborate with international human rights mechanisms to investigate these violations, we are troubled by the lack of cooperation from Egypt, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan regarding the UN Human Rights Council Fact-Finding Mission. We urge the Commission to formally appeal to these countries to ensure access for
the Fact-Finding Mission, enabling it to fulfill its mandate and promote accountability for the violations committed during the conflict.
Moreover, we highlight the increasingly hostile refugee policies across the continent, which are obstructing thousands of HRDs fleeing persecution and conflict. The growing disdain for sub-Saharan migrants in North Africa, particularly in Tunisia, is particularly alarming. We call upon the Commission to urgently appeal to these states for their cooperation in assisting those seeking refuge. We call on the Commission to respond to this issue by issuing a communique calling for improved refugee policies to support HRDs by recognizing them as those requiring critical status.
In Eswatini, the intimidation and harassment faced by WHRD Tanele Maseko, who advocates for justice following the assassination of her husband, pro-democracy lawyer Thulani Maseko, further illustrates the perilous environment in which HRDs operate.
In light of these pressing issues, we respectfully urge the Commission to unequivocally condemn transnational repression and call for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defenders unlawfully detained. Furthermore, we call on the Commission to allocate resources for a comprehensive review of refugee and visa policies across the region, advocating for the prioritization of human rights defenders in these processes to ensure their protection and due process rights.
Thank you for your attention and consideration of our concerns and recommendations.
81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Item 5: Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa
Honourable Chairperson,
Distinguished Commissioners,
State delegates,
Representatives of national human rights institutions and non-governmental organisations,
We welcome the opportunity to highlight issues pertaining to freedom of opinion and expression in Africa. The right to free expression, including its access to information, pluralism, and intellectual inquiry components, is a cornerstone of any democracy.
Yet precisely because it has the potential to enable citizens to critically review government actions, assess alternatives, including proposals by opposition groups and shadow cabinets, and challenge those in power, it is one of the most restricted rights on the African continent. We are witnessing a backlash against free expression in all sub-regions.
In the Horn of Africa, Djibouti and Eritrea continue to severely restrict any expression of dissent, rendering civic space virtually non-existent. We urge the Commission to meaningfully address the situation on Djibouti, a blind spot for human rights in the Horn, and to follow-up on its recommendations to Eritrea, including on arbitrarily detained journalists.
In North Africa, repression of media figures, dissidents, and human rights defenders continue unabated, including in Egypt and Algeria, where “foreign funds” charges have been used to silence independent NGOs and HRDs. The political cost of repression should now be raised for authorities in these countries. We are deeply concerned over the mounting climate of fear in Tunisia, including for HRDs and journalists, as well as for Sub-Saharan migrants as a result of hate speech propagated at the highest level.
In Eswatini, no independent investigation has been conducted into the January 2023 killing of Advocate and lawyer Thulani Maseko. The ongoing impunity gives credence to allegations of state involvement – and at the very least inaction in response to this cowardly assassination.
In Cameroon, in a context marked by multiple security and political crises, we condemn the abduction and murder of journalists, including Martinez Zogo, Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe, and Anye Nde Nsoh, and the lack of accountability to date. Many journalists continue to be harassed. Cameroon is now the second worst jailer of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, after Eritrea.
In the Sahel and West Africa, restrictions on free expression multiply. While we condemn military coups, which are never an adequate answer to people’s frustrations and grievances, we stress that civic space, including people’s right to criticise their leaders, is key to building fairer societies in which governments are accountable and can change peacefully. Unconstitutional changes will lead, we fear, to further violations in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. We urge transitional authorities to release those detained for peacefully expressing their views, stop using vague provisions on “defamation,” “national security” or “treason” to crack down on dissent, and lift bans and suspensions on media outlets. The situation in Mali and Burkina Faso is particularly alarming – and we urge the Commission to formulate an official response, in line with its mandate, to send the de facto authorities the message that their conduct is being watched.
In conflict-affected countries, including Libya, Sudan, Ethiopia and large swathes of South Sudan, independent voices, including journalists and HRDs, are often targeted first. In Ethiopia, even calling for peace and accountability for atrocities exposes you to legal harassment and attacks against your physical integrity, as the Federal Government has embarked on a campaign to silence any form of criticism of its policies and practices. We urge the Commission to address the human rights situation in Ethiopia as a matter of priority.
Elsewhere, freedom of opinion and expression is under pressure. Suggestions to ban VPNs set a dangerous tone for political debate, in a context that is already marked by internet shutdowns and undue restrictions on information. The African Union Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa requires internet-based restrictions to be strictly necessary and proportionate.
In this election season, and as more elections are upcoming, for instance in Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda, we suggest that the Commission allocate resources and dedicate attention to studying and exposing the problem of internet shutdowns, including by articulating key principles and safeguards in line with the right to free expression and access to information.
All governments should scrupulously observe the principle behind African and international standards: freedom must be the rule and restrictions, the exception.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Honourable Chairperson,
Honourable Commissioners,
Distinguished State Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On 31 July 2024, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) issued a chilling tweet: “We are trying to ascertain their whereabouts and what is happening to them.” This single sentence lays bare the brutal reality for human rights defenders (HRDs) in the country, as they endure an intensified crackdown ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit. The arrest of 80 pro-democracy activists is a unmistakable symptom of a continent-wide epidemic of repression. Yet, this is not just Zimbabwe’s story—it is a cry of anguish echoed across Africa.
This tweet is a grave reflection of the deepening crisis affecting HRDs everywhere in Africa. Year by year, attacks against HRDs grow more aggressive, as both state and non-state actors ramp up efforts to crush anyone who dares to stand for justice, equality, and human dignity. Those who should be hailed as heroes are instead vilified as “enemies of the state.” In Kenya, the government’s response to peaceful protests has unleashed a wave of violence, where excessive and unwarranted force has led to unlawful deaths and injuries.
But outside of armed conflict situations, perhaps nowhere is the situation more dire than in Burkina Faso. There, HRDs are not only being silenced by a repressive military junta, but are also being hunted down and killed by armed groups. They are trapped between the hammer of state brutality and the anvil of militant violence, with no safe space left to stand. The military junta, operating with impunity, has dismantled media freedom and critical voices are now in peril. The Commission must urgently issue a resolution demanding that the military authorities uphold the rights of journalists and critics, in line with their obligations under the African Charter. It is time for this Commission to step forward with resolve.
Chairperson,
The killing of lawyer Elvino Dias in Mozambique tragic incident is yet another reminder of how fragile defending democratic values can be, as we have seen in other regions where those standing up for justice are silenced through violence.
We stand in solidarity with our comrades who held a peaceful protest in this plenary yesterday (19 October 2024) and call on the Commission to urge the Mozambican government to conduct an independent, transparent, and impartial investigation into Dias’s killing, publish the findings, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Honourable Chairperson,
Since 2020, DefendDefenders/AfricanDefenders have been meticulously documenting the waves of violence and repression against HRDs, artivists, and journalists across Africa. Our records are overflowing with cases of harassment, threats, and persecution. It is not an isolated trend. It is a calculated campaign of terror designed to crush the human spirit and stifle the dreams of a free, just, and democratic Africa. Despite repeated calls for justice from HRDs, civil society, and international human rights bodies—including this very Commission—the response has been deafening silence, allowing the persecution to spread unchecked.
We applaud the Commission’s role in developing the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders in Africa, but declarations alone will not save lives. We must translate these promises into real, actionable protections. HRDs need more than words—they need safety, they need support, and they need justice. Now, more than ever, the protections we speak of must be enforced at national and regional levels, where the danger is greatest and the stakes are highest.
Honourable Chairperson, Members of the Commission,
The time for silence is over. The future of human rights in Africa hangs in the balance, and we cannot afford to turn a blind eye. If we do not act now; if we do not protect those who fight to defend our rights, we will risk betraying the very values we claim to uphold. The lives, dignity, and future of HRDs across this continent depend on our courage and our actions today.
Thank you.