1. Introduction
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) plays a pivotal role in promoting and protecting human rights across the African continent. It serves as a crucial platform for civil society organizations, state representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss challenges, highlight violations, and recommend reforms.
The 83rd Ordinary Session of the ACHPR was held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 2nd to 22nd May 2025. The overarching theme of the session was “Justice for People of African Descent Through Reparations.”
CFJ’s objectives for participating in this session included strengthening regional partnerships, advocating for the adoption of key resolutions, and expanding its advocacy efforts related to countries of focus—Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, The Gambia, and others in the Sahel region.
The session was significant in the broader human rights context, addressing serious ongoing violations and regional instability, particularly in North Africa and the Sahel. It provided an opportunity to assess the state of human rights, engage with regional mechanisms, and influence policy through collective advocacy.
2. CFJ’s Participation: Objectives and Key Messages
CFJ’s main objective at the 83rd Ordinary Session was to build and strengthen networks with human rights defenders and NGOs. This engagement was aimed at fostering collaboration, information sharing, and sustained joint advocacy.
Another central priority was ensuring that resolutions related to Egypt, The Gambia, Tunisia, and Sudan were adopted during the NGO Forum. These resolutions highlighted pressing human rights violations and formed the basis of CFJ’s advocacy.
To facilitate deeper collaboration, CFJ hosted a meet-and-greet event at its Banjul office, inviting local and international human rights defenders and NGO representatives. This event served to break silos and promoted solidarity.
Additionally, CFJ organized a side event that brought together guest speakers who are active human rights defenders, providing a platform to highlight country-specific challenges and amplify regional voices.
3. Activities and Events Organized or Attended by CFJ
3.1. NGO Forum (Pre-Session)
CFJ actively participated in the NGO Forum from April 28–30, 2025, contributing to the drafting and successful adoption of resolutions on Egypt, The Gambia, Tunisia, and Sudan.
These resolutions were instrumental in shaping the agenda of the broader ACHPR session and provided a foundation for CFJ’s advocacy during and beyond the session.
3.2. Side Events
CFJ organized a full-day hybrid side event at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, which was also held virtually to allow broader participation. The event focused on presenting and discussing CFJ’s country reviews for Tunisia, Sudan, Egypt, and the Sahel region.
The day was divided into four thematic sessions, each dedicated to one of the regions covered in CFJ’s reviews. Each session featured a human rights defender from the respective region who shared insights, challenges, and recommendations based on the current human rights situation.
This side event provided a platform for engagement between in-person and virtual participants, creating an inclusive space for dialogue among human rights organizations and defenders. Attendees discussed regional-specific issues, exchanged experiences, and explored collaborative strategies for advocacy and reform. The hybrid format ensured wide access and reinforced CFJ’s commitment to inclusive and cross-regional human rights work.
In addition to hosting our own event, CFJ actively participated in several side events held at the same venue. While we could not attend all side events due to scheduling constraints, we made time to join several key discussions, including:
- The Litigants Group Side Event
- ISLA (Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa) Event
- Multiple FIACAT (International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) Side Events
- Three different SOGIE-focused side events
- Collective Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- Situation of Human Rights Defenders and Civic Spaces in the Sahel
- Center for Human Rights: Addressing Obstetric Violence in Africa Leveraging Rights-Based Approaches to enhance Accountability and Promote Dignified Maternal Healthcare
These events broadened CFJ’s exposure to thematic areas of relevance, deepened engagement with peer organizations, and helped expand strategic conversations around civic space, protection of defenders, gender rights, and regional legal frameworks.
Additionally, CFJ attended a networking dinner with other human rights defenders at Coco Ocean, which offered an informal yet valuable opportunity to connect with regional actors, share updates, and strengthen our collaborative efforts going forward.
3.3. Oral Interventions During the Public Sessions
Due to the lack of observer status, CFJ could not deliver oral statements during the public sessions. However, the team was actively present to listen, document, and network with relevant stakeholders. This indirect participation still offered valuable insight and helped build strategic connections.
3.4. Bilateral Meetings
CFJ held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Salma Sassi, focusing on the country review for Tunisia and broader challenges in the Sahel region. Although the discussion was brief it helped establish a path for future engagement and information sharing.
Additionally, CFJ conducted informal meetings with several human rights defenders, using these exchanges to identify opportunities for joint work and regional coordination.
4. Outcomes and Gains from the Participation
CFJ’s engagement in the 83rd session brought several positive outcomes:
- Significant expansion of CFJ’s network across Africa, enabling stronger collaboration.
- Entry into the Sahel regional coalition network, which will enhance future advocacy on transnational and security-related human rights concerns.
- Sustained contact with human rights defenders from various regions, allowing ongoing exchange of expertise and strategies.
- Adoption of CFJ’s submitted resolutions at the NGO Forum, validating the organization’s advocacy efforts and raising its profile within the ACHPR framework.
These gains strengthen CFJ’s position in regional human rights spaces and provide momentum for future initiatives.
5. Challenges and Lessons Learned
The session was largely productive, with minimal challenges encountered. However, some issues were noted:
- Disruptions by state representatives during the NGO Forum sessions occasionally interrupted civil society contributions.
- The behaviour of some male participants created discomfort and highlighted the need for stronger gender-sensitive protocols and accountability mechanisms in such forums.
Despite these issues, the overall experience offered valuable lessons, particularly in navigating political dynamics and coalition-building.
6. Future Recommendations
To enhance its impact at future ACHPR sessions, CFJ recommends:
- Securing observer status to participate more directly in public sessions and oral interventions. This would significantly elevate CFJ’s ability to influence outcomes.
- Deepening collaborations with ACHPR mechanisms, including the African Court, Special Rapporteurs, and thematic working groups.
- Strengthening the documentation and periodic reporting process, particularly from the Sahel, North Africa, and countries undergoing transitions, to support evidence-based advocacy.
- Continuing to host and co-organize side events to offer a platform to frontline defenders and underrepresented voices.
7. Annexes
- Annex 1:
- No oral interventions were made.
- Annex 2:
- Annex 3:
- Annex 4:
- The Litigants Group Side Event
- ISLA (Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa) Event
- Multiple FIACAT (International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) Side Events
- Three different SOGIE-focused side events
- Collective Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- Situation of Human Rights Defenders and Civic Spaces in the Sahel
- Center for Human Rights: Addressing Obstetric Violence in Africa Leveraging Rights-Based Approaches to enhance Accountability and Promote Dignified Maternal Healthcare
