A High Level Delegation led by RFLD Human Rights Senior Officer Mr John GBENAGNON composed of partners from Kenya, Netherlands, Togo, Senegal, Sweden, and Ghana is currently in Banjul, The Gambia for the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
At Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), we work to promote and protect the rights of women, youth, and minority groups and ensure their participation in decision-making spheres. We build strong partnerships with women’s civil society organizations, government stakeholders, and regional networks to advocate for gender policies and improve the enabling environment for women’s rights. Additionally, RFLD drives young women’s digital engagement, ensuring and plays a critical role in strengthening the work of W/HRDs by reducing their vulnerability to persecution through robust protection mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives.
RFLD represents W/HRDs, human rights organizations, and national coalitions, expanding its reach across sub-regional networks. We bring our expertise to improve collaboration among women human rights organizations, address resource constraints that compromise the safety and security of WHRDs, and build the capacity of defenders to effectively engage with human rights instruments and mechanisms. RFLD works to close critical knowledge gaps, facilitate regional and international support to reinforce local and national W/HRDs, and provide essential protection against attacks and repression. By leveraging its expansive network, RFLD ensures our programs foster a safer, more connected, and better-resourced environment for W/HRDs across the continent, strengthening their ability to advocate for human rights and democratic freedoms.
WHAT IS THE 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.
The members of the Commission serve in their personal capacity. The Commission is established in terms of article 30 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (otherwise known as the Banjul Charter) within the auspices of the OAU/AU to promote human and peoples` rights and ensure their protection in Africa.
The Role of the ACHPR Human Rights Defenders Support Group
Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) appointed by the ACHPR as Member of the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders led by Hon. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), reinforces its commitment to defending the rights of youth and women, while actively promoting their participation in decision-making processes. RFLD remains at the forefront of the fight for gender equality, minority groups inclusion, and the protection of women human rights defenders in Francophone Africa.
The guidelines on freedom of association and assembly are essential for fostering an environment where citizens can organize and express their views without fear of reprisals. These guidelines provide a robust framework for states to uphold and safeguard these fundamental rights.
To ensure the effective implementation of these guidelines, collaboration is crucial among states, civil society, and regional bodies like the ACHPR. Within the Support Group, RFLD plays vital roles such as:
- Supporting Women Human Rights Defenders: Responding to the escalating threats faced by women defenders, who are frequently targeted for championing civic, digital, and environmental freedoms.
- Protecting Activist Rights: Ensuring that activists, NGOs, and communities can engage in advocacy without fear of retaliation.
- Information Sharing: Disseminating updates on the human rights landscape across Francophone and Lusophone Africa.
- Coordinating Responses: Identifying and implementing coordinated strategies to address emerging challenges.
- Adopting Collective Strategies: Formulating unified approaches to promote and protect human rights.
- Research and Documentation: RFLD conducts thorough research and documentation on human rights violations, focusing on issues affecting women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
- Data Submission: RFLD through our Donuese Data Center submits critical data to the ACHPR regarding country findings on human rights violations related to thematic areas concerning women, youth, and vulnerable populations. RFLD,
- Periodic Report Reviews: In line with Article 62 of the African Charter, States Parties are mandated to submit Periodic Reports to the ACHPR biennially. In May 2025, the Commission will review reports from Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. RFLD, in collaboration with partners, will facilitate advocacy sessions at the Commission, including side events that focus on civic space trends in both countries.
Side-Events and Statements
In addition to our participation, RFLD, EU SEE consortium, and CIVICUS will host a side event ‘Strengthening Civil Society engagement and roles in monitoring and documenting the civic space trends in Africa’. This Side Event programmed on May 8 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:
- Item 3: Human rights situation in Africa
- Item 5: Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa
- 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, the Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) is pleased to hold exclusive bilateral meetings with African Commission Commissioners to discuss critical advocacy issues related to civic space and human rights, particularly focusing on women human rights defenders and minority groups.
- Meeting with Hon. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the ACHPR and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa: This discussion will address the reprisals and restrictions faced by environmental and climate justice defenders, aligning with his current thematic priority. We will explore collaborative opportunities to enhance support for grassroots movements and defenders, particularly women who often face heightened risks.
- Meeting with Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information: This meeting aims to identify avenues for collaboration that will empower RFLD members, ensuring they have the space and platforms necessary to engage meaningfully in advocacy efforts.
- Meeting with Hon. Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa: This engagement will focus on strategies to advance the rights of women human rights defenders and minority groups, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a secure and enabling environment for their work.
Members of the ACHPR Working Group on Human Rights Defenders
The Support Group includes 13 African influential organizations:
– International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)
– International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
– Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD)
– Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA)
– East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net)
– African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
– Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC)
– Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA)
– Network of National Human Rights Institutions (RINADH)
– Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
– West African Human Rights Defenders Network (ROADDH/WAHRDN)
– North Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (CIDH)
– Network of Human Rights Defenders in the Lusophone area
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📺 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 RFLD’s engagement at the ACHPR, please contact: programs@rflgd.org
