News briefing
Translation and editing: Committee for Justice
Geneva: October 31, 2023
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expressed its concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and its negative consequences on the populations in the region. The ACHPR released a press releaseon the sidelines of its 77th regular session held in Arusha, Tanzania, from October 20 to November 9, 2023. According to local authorities, the military escalation in Gaza has so far claimed more than 7,000 victims, most of them children, women, and the elderly, while tens of thousands have been injured.
The ACHPR also mentioned in the press release that the territory’s population remains trapped, without livelihoods and access to vital services. The Commission emphasized that any crisis affecting the Gaza Strip, a territory that has a land border with the Arab Republic of Egypt, a State party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), would inevitably have negative repercussions on the African continent.
The Commission also expressed its concern about reports of citizens from several State Parties to the Charter being among the victims in Gaza, including women, children, and elderly. There are also citizens from the State Parties to the Charter, among those unable to leave the territory.
Moreover, the Commission voiced concerns about talks of plans to deport a portion of Gaza’s residents to Egyptian territories. Lastly, it addressed the refusal of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, which remains currently blocked in the Arab Republic of Egypt, a state party to the Charter.
The Commission reaffirmed the importance of the fundamental principles of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international refugee law, which enshrine respect for the inherent right to life and dignity.
It also urged the international community to tirelessly work towards an immediate end to hostilities, open borders for the free movement of prohibited individuals, and establish a humanitarian corridor to help the affected residents. It also calls on the State Parties to the Charter to spare no effort and take appropriate measures to ensure the protection of their citizens in Gaza.
The Committee for Justice participated in the 77th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights held in Tanzania. During the event, CFJ organized a session discussing the Egyptian election process within the current socio-political landscape. CFJ highlighted that the repressive practices of the Egyptian authorities have turned the upcoming presidential elections in Egypt into mere formalities, lacking genuine representation of the diverse Egyptian society.
