Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) to take proactive steps to address emerging challenges confronting human rights defenders in the current technological environment by developing an appropriate instrument focused specifically on the protection of human rights defenders in the digital age.
Addressing the Commission at the public section of its 87th Ordinary Session, which took place in Banjul, The Gambia, from May 11 to 20, 2026, MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms Ayomide Eweje, said such an instrument should be a comprehensive framework that establishes clear standards and obligations regarding the protection of human rights defenders online.
She added that such standards should include safeguards against unlawful surveillance, the misuse of cybercrime and cybersecurity laws to suppress legitimate expression and assembly, the responsibility of digital intermediaries and platform operators to respect human rights, as well as a clear articulation of the obligations of State Parties to prevent, investigate, and remedy digital attacks against human rights defenders.
Ms Eweje, who spoke on the “Need for Updated Guidance on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in the Digital Age” under Agenda Item 4 titled “Human Rights Situation in Africa”, also urged the Commission to define and clarify what constitutes unacceptable conduct by both State and non-State actors in the digital environment.
She noted that the Commission had, over the years, played a critical role in promoting and protecting the rights of human rights defenders across the continent through various soft law instruments and normative standards.
However, Ms Eweje said, in the rapidly evolving digital environment, human rights defenders are increasingly being confronted with new and complex forms of threats and attacks which were not fully contemplated in the existing frameworks, including digital surveillance, online harassment and intimidation, targeted disinformation campaigns, unlawful interception of communications, and the misuse of cybersecurity and other laws to criminalise legitimate human rights work.
She argued that these developments pose serious risks not only to the safety and security of human rights defenders but also to the broader enjoyment of fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, privacy, and access to information.
Ms Eweje observed that although the Commission’s previous efforts in guiding the protection of human rights defenders remain commendable and relevant, they are no longer sufficient to adequately address the scale, sophistication, and transnational nature of digital threats.
She expressed concern that, given the persistence of the challenges, if they are left unaddressed, they will further shrink civic space, embolden perpetrators, and undermine democratic governance across the continent.
Ms Eweje said it is in light of this concern that MRA is urging the Commission to take proactive steps to address the emerging challenges by developing a comprehensive resolution or other appropriate instrument focused specifically on the protection of human rights defenders in the digital age.
She encouraged the Commission to ensure that any such framework incorporates gender-sensitive approaches, having regard to the disproportionate and targeted nature of online attacks against women human rights defenders.
According to her, “The creation and adoption of such a comprehensive instrument is urgent and necessary to ensure that the African human rights system remains relevant and responsive to contemporary realities. Without it, the protection framework for human rights defenders risks becoming outdated and inadequate in the face of rapidly evolving digital threats. This would ultimately undermine the Commission’s mandate and the effective enjoyment of the rights guaranteed under the African Charter.”
Ms Eweje pledged MRA’s readiness to engage constructively with the Commission, States Parties, and other stakeholders in the development and adoption of such a much-needed instrument, adding, “We reaffirm our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, including the rights of human rights defenders, media freedom, access to information, and digital rights across the continent.”
