CIVICUS at the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

At CIVICUS, we believe in the fundamental importance of human rights and are dedicated to advancing the work of human rights defenders and protecting civic space. We actively engage with various human rights mechanisms, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), to support the ongoing efforts to uphold and strengthen human rights across the African continent.

What is ACHPR?

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is Africa's primary regional human rights body. Established by the African Union (AU) under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Commission plays a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights in Africa. It holds two Ordinary Sessions annually where States' compliance with the African Charter is reviewed.

The Commission is composed of Commissioners, each responsible for monitoring human rights in five assigned countries. Many also serve as Special Rapporteurs, focusing on thematic areas such as the protection of human rights defenders, freedom of expression, and addressing reprisals. These dual roles enable targeted follow-up on both country-specific and thematic human rights concerns.

During these Ordinary Sessions, civil society organisations like CIVICUS are encouraged to engage directly with Commissioners and Special Rapporteurs. This is a key opportunity to:

• Share recent developments in specific countries,

• Highlight emerging threats and patterns of repression,

• Request that issues be raised directly with State representatives during the session or through other formal avenues.

While engagement with Special Rapporteurs can happen year-round, these sessions are one of the most strategic moments to deliver statements or provide updates as Commissioners present their activity reports.

NGO Forum

Before the ACHPR session, there is a Forum on the Participation of NGOs in ordinary sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, also known as the ‘NGO Forum’, which provides a crucial advocacy space.  Coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), the forum facilitates lobbying, networking and joint strategising among African and international human rights organisations.

It also offers a platform to:

• Share updates on the human rights situation across the continent,

• Identify coordinated responses to emerging challenges, and

• Adopt collective strategies for promoting and protecting rights.

The NGO forum session will be hosted in person in Banjul, the Gambia from April 28 to 1 May 2025. 

CIVICUS' Participation at the 83rd ACHPR Session 

We will be participating in the upcoming 83rd Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, which will bring together government representatives, human rights defenders, and civil society organisations to discuss critical human rights issues in Africa. 

Key Areas of Focus:  

• Defending Civic Space: Protecting the rights of activists, NGOs, and communities to speak out and engage in advocacy without fear of retaliation.  
• Supporting Human Rights Defenders: Addressing the growing threats faced by human rights defenders, who are often targeted for their efforts to protect civic freedoms, land, water, and natural resources. The interactions here will be linked to the Stand As My Witness, highlighting the flights of defenders under the campaign - Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube – Eswatini, Hoda Abdel Moneim – Egypt, and Kamira Nait Sid – Algeria. 
• Country Focus – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Highlighting the DRC's ongoing human rights challenges, as it is listed on our Monitor Watchlist due to severe violations against human rights defenders.
• Periodic Report Reviews: Ethiopia and Zimbabwe: In accordance with Article 62 of the African Charter, States Parties are required to submit Periodic Reports to the ACHPR every two years. The Commission will review Periodic Reports for Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. CIVICUS will support partners in hosting advocacy sessions at the commission, including side events on both countries, focusing on civic space trends. Ethiopia, based on the report covering the period 2015-2023 and Zimbabwe, based on the report covering the period 2019-2023. 

Side-Events and Statements

In addition to our participation, CIVICUS, EU SEE consortium in collaboration with RFLD will host a side event ‘Strengthening Civil Society engagement and roles in monitoring and documenting the civic space trends in Africa’. This will be an interactive event on the margins of the Commission, providing an opportunity for various stakeholders to understand the role of various actors in monitoring civic space trends in Africa. The event targets the national and regional human rights organisations, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), independent human rights monitors and defenders, member state representatives, and civic actors.

Speakers include: Hon. Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the ACHPR and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa. 

We will deliver statements under the following agenda items:

1. Item 3: Human rights situation in Africa  
2. Item 5: Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa 
3. Item 6: Activity reports 

These statements will focus on civic space trends, human rights, and fundamental freedoms protection and promotion in Africa. Under Item 3, civil society organisations with observer status can make a statement highlighting specific issues relating to human rights enshrined in the African Charter. This opportunity can be used to call the attention of the Commission on a specific issue or update Commissioners on an issue brought to their attention previously. 

Bilateral Meetings with Commissioners

As part of our engagement at the 83rd session, CIVICUS will be holding exclusive bilateral meetings with African Commission Commissioners to discuss key advocacy issues related to civic space and human rights.

• Meeting with Hon. Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the ACHPR and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa: Discussions will focus on the reprisals and restrictions faced by environmental and climate justice defenders, his current thematic priority. We will explore opportunities for collaboration to support the mandate and reach grassroots movements and defenders.

• Meeting with Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chair of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations: This engagement stems from his outreach through our environmental alliance from Africa and will address human rights violations linked to extractive activities.

• Meeting with Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information: This meeting aims to explore collaboration opportunities to support the mandate while ensuring space and platforms for CIVICUS members to engage meaningfully.

Stay connected

Follow our live updates, key highlights, and calls to action throughout the session.

📺 Watch the live streams of the session and side events via ACHPR YouTube Channel
📄 Access the full agenda and session documents here (link to be inserted).

📩 For any enquiries about CIVICUS’ engagement at the ACHPR, please contact: Dr Paul Mulindwa –