The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has strongly condemned the increasing attacks, harassment, and restrictions faced by human rights defenders across Africa. In a resolution adopted during its 87th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, in May 2026, the Commission expressed concern over the restrictive environment for activists, civil society organisations, and individuals working to promote and protect human rights on the continent.
The Commission noted that human rights defenders continue to face a range of violations, including arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, enforced disappearances, killings, and abuse of judicial processes. It also raised concerns about shrinking civic space, growing surveillance, restrictions on freedoms of expression, association and assembly, as well as the use of national security and counterterrorism laws to limit the legitimate activities of rights defenders and civil society groups.
In the resolution, the Commission strongly condemned all forms of violence, intimidation, reprisals, and obstruction directed at human rights defenders. It emphasized the critical role that defenders play in advancing human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and good governance across Africa.
The ACHPR expressed particular concern over the shrinking civic space on the continent, citing increased surveillance, democratic backsliding, and transnational repression as major threats to the work of human rights defenders. It noted that these challenges are often intensified during election periods, creating an environment that discourages citizens from exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms.
The Commission also highlighted the growing misuse of legal processes against activists and civil society organisations. According to the resolution, some defenders face lengthy court proceedings, excessive bail conditions, and other legal measures that can hinder their ability to carry out legitimate human rights work.
To address these concerns, the ACHPR called on African governments to end arbitrary arrests and detention of human rights defenders and ensure that anyone deprived of liberty enjoys fundamental safeguards, including access to legal representation, healthcare, and family visits. It also urged States to investigate violations against defenders and take steps to prevent further attacks.
Furthermore, the Commission called on States to protect the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly by ensuring that restrictions on protests and demonstrations comply with regional and international human rights standards. Governments were also urged to ensure that decisions to suspend or dissolve civil society organisations are made only through due legal process.
The ACHPR further encouraged States to review laws and policies related to national security, counterterrorism, anti-money laundering, and the financing of terrorism to ensure that they do not unnecessarily restrict the activities of human rights defenders and civil society groups. It stressed that any limitations on fundamental freedoms must meet the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability.
In addition, the Commission urged African States to adopt specific legal frameworks that recognize and protect human rights defenders in line with regional and international standards, including the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Grand Bay Declaration and Plan of Action, and the Kigali Declaration.
The resolution was adopted on May 20, 2026, during the Commission’s 87th Ordinary Session in Banjul, The Gambia, reaffirming the ACHPR’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of human rights defenders across the continent.
