The African Union’s 2025 theme, “Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” set the tone for the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), held from 2 to 22 May 2025 in Banjul, The Gambia. This theme reflects a continental commitment to confronting the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism, while advancing reparatory justice, healing, and dignity for communities long denied both truth and redress.

The session was convened at a time of mounting human rights crises across the continent, from the deepening conflict and humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, to ongoing political repression in Burundi, renewed violence in South Sudan, and shrinking civic space in countries such as Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Egypt; highlighting the urgent need for more coordinated regional and international action. Amidst these pressing challenges, the Commission’s first public session of the year carried particular significance, providing a vital platform for dialogue, accountability, and strategic collaboration, with a special focus on operationalising the Addis Ababa Roadmap in our engagements.

Through panel discussions during the public session, bilateral meetings, and side events, the Addis Ababa Roadmap served as a guiding framework to strengthen collaboration between the ACHPR and United Nations special procedures, particularly in responding to crises and enhancing protection for human rights defenders (HRDs). These joint efforts fostered synergy between the work of the UN Human Rights Council and the ACHPR, reinforcing our commitment to deepening cooperation between the two systems and bolstering protection mechanisms for HRDs and victims of human rights violations.

During the public session, several panel discussions were held to advance the promotion and protection of human rights across the continent. One particularly impactful session was the high-level panel on “Silencing Violence Against Human Rights Defenders,” hosted by Commissioner Remmy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the Commission and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Human Rights Defenders and Reprisals.

The panel featured Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, who provided a comprehensive overview of the escalating threats HRDs face across Africa. This panel discussion highlighted the alarming increase in threats targeting HRDs across the continent. We critically examined the pervasive phenomena of digital and transnational repression, underscoring governmental strategies that include surveillance, disinformation campaigns, and the exploitation of legal ambiguities to suppress dissent. The discussion also highlighted the specific vulnerabilities faced by exiled HRDs, particularly in relation to cross-border intimidation and the manipulation of international mechanisms, such as those employed by Interpol. In our submissions, we reiterated these concerns and called for robust protection frameworks, strengthened regional solidarity, and enhanced accountability mechanisms to ensure that HRDs can continue their essential work safely and without fear of reprisal.

In the context of a protracted two-year crisis marked by widespread atrocities including mass killings and ethnic cleansing, Sudan and the broader Sahel region emerged as critical areas of concern. At this session, Sudan remained a central focus. Two years since war erupted in April 2023, the country continues to endure one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian and human rights crises, characterised by mass killings, ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and the systematic destruction of entire communities.

Yet despite the scale of these atrocities, Sudan’s crisis is increasingly becoming one of the world’s forgotten emergencies, receiving limited international attention relative to its severity. Amid this global silence, Sudanese civil society has shown extraordinary resilience, persistently documenting violations, advocating for justice, and calling for urgent protection.

In line with the forthcoming report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan, we held a side event featuring Commissioner Salma Sassi, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, IDPs, and Migrants; Hon. Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Chairperson of the FFM; and representatives of civil society organisations actively documenting the atrocities. The discussion highlighted the grave threats facing Sudanese HRDs and displaced communities and stressed the urgent need for a joint sustained regional and international action. In addition, we participated in the public session panel on Sudan, contributing to the broader dialogue on protection, accountability, and renewed international attention to the crisis.

Our engagement also extended to Burundi, where we convened a side event focused on the human rights situation in the lead-up to the 2025 elections. Grounded in the Addis Ababa Roadmap, the panel brought together mandates from both the ACHPR and the United Nations to explore joint strategies for the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs). Speakers included Mr. Fortuné Gaetan Zongo, Chairperson of the ACHPR and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and Commissioner Remmy Ngoy Lumbu.

The discussion provided a critical platform to reflect on Burundi’s conflict-affected past, the essential role of HRDs in advancing civic dialogue, justice, and reconciliation, and the urgent need to ensure their protection in an increasingly restrictive environment. Particularly noteworthy were reflections on the country visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burundi, which revealed stark discrepancies between the official state narrative and the lived experiences of HRDs, many of whom remain in exile due to threats and reprisals.

At the close of the public session, the Commission adopted a number of thematic resolutions, along with a country specific resolution extending the mandate of the Joint Fact Finding Mission (JFM) on the human rights situation in Sudan, a clear signal of the ACHPR’s continued attention and engagement on the crisis, which I warmly welcome.

Prior to the official session, our delegation actively participated in the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights held from 28 to 30 April 2025. This important civil society gathering provided a vital platform to shape narratives, elevate underrepresented voices, and highlight pressing issues affecting the region. As part of our engagement, DefendDefenders, in collaboration with AfricanDefenders, facilitated the meaningful participation of 20 human rights defenders (HRDs) representing East and the Horn of Africa, North Africa, and West Africa.

Following the Forum, several country-specific resolutions were adopted to address urgent human rights concerns. For Egypt, the focus was on addressing arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, inhumane detention conditions, and the repression of workers. In Ethiopia, the resolution called for enhanced protections for internally displaced persons (IDPs), the preservation of civic space, and the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol. The South Sudan resolution emphasized the need for comprehensive security sector reform, progress on constitutional matters, and justice for victims affected by recent violence. For Sudan, the Forum condemned ongoing atrocities and urged the establishment of robust transitional justice mechanisms alongside sustained support for peace initiatives. Lastly, Tunisia’s resolution raised serious concerns about judicial repression, racial discrimination, and the country’s withdrawal from the jurisdiction of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These resolutions reflect the collective commitment of civil society actors to hold governments accountable and advance human rights across the continent.

In addition, the Forum adopted two key thematic resolutions. The first, the resolution on the situation of human rights defenders in Africa, reaffirming the crucial role and called for stronger protection frameworks in response to rising reprisals. The second, the resolution on supporting citizen election observers and strengthening electoral integrity in Africa, highlighting the vital role of citizen led observation, urged states to provide adequate protections for election observers, and called for comprehensive reforms to secure free, fair, and credible elections

While these resolutions were adopted at the NGO Forum and submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for consideration during its 83rd Ordinary Session, they were not adopted at the Commission’s session. Nevertheless, we hope they will inform ACHPR deliberations later this year.

DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders remain deeply committed to supporting the Commission’s work and ensuring it fulfils its mandate to protect and promote human rights in Africa. As civic space continues to face unprecedented challenges, our collective action and solidarity are more vital than ever.