RESOLUTION ON THE RENEWAL OF THE MANDATE OF THE SUPPORT GROUP TO THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND FOCAL POINT ON REPRISALS IN AFRICA FOR THE PROMOTION AND MONITORING OF THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DIRECTIVES ON FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY IN AFRICA. ACHPR/Res.602 (LXXXI) 2024
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 81st Ordinary Session, held from 17 October to 6 November 2024:
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples' rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter);
Recalling also its Resolution ACHPR/Res.69 (XXXV) 04 on the protection of Human Rights Defenders in Africa and Resolution ACHPR/Res.273 (LV)14 on the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders in Africa to cases of reprisals;
Bearing in mind its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.104(XXXXI) 07, ACHPR/Res.119 (XXXXII) 07, ACHPR/Res.196(L) 2011, ACHPR/Res.345(LVIII) 2016 and ACHPR/Res.376(LX) 2017 on the situation of Human Rights Defenders in Africa;
Recalling its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.151 (XLVI) 09 and ACHPR/Res.186 (XLIX) 11 on the need for a study on freedom of association and assembly in Africa and the appointment of members of the Study Group on Freedom of Association and Assembly;
Recalling also Resolution ACHPR/Res.319 (LVII) 15 on the laying down of guidelines on freedom of association and assembly in Africa and Resolution ACHPR/Res.406 (LXIII) 18 on the establishment of a Support Group for the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa for the promotion and monitoring of the effective implementation of the guidelines on freedom of association and assembly in Africa (Support Group);
Bearing in mind its Resolutions ACHPR/Res.471 (LXVII) 2020 and ACHPR/Res.547 (LXXIII) 2022 on the renewal of the mandate of the Support Group;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.571 (LXXVII) 2023 on the need to undertake a study to assess the level of compliance of national legislations with the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa, currently being drafted.
Concerned by the persistent and progressive restrictive trend in civic space, the maintenance of numerous restrictive measures, in particular emergency health or security measures, and the adoption/revision by certain States of legislative and regulatory provisions that undermine the enjoyment by citizens of the right to freedom of association and assembly;
Underscoring the importance of freedom of association and assembly in the work of the Commission and the effective implementation of Agenda 2063 of the African Union;
Underlining also the need to assist States in the effective implementation of the Guidelines and the importance of the Commission monitoring the implementation of the various instruments it develops, as well as the difficulties inherent in the limited means at its disposal for carrying out this task;
Acknowledging the valuable contribution and support provided by the Support Group to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur in promoting and monitoring the effective implementation of the Guidelines to ensure the protection and effective respect for the freedoms of association and assembly and the need to enable him to continue his mandate;
Resolves to:
1. Renew for a period of two (2) years the mandate of the Support Group to the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa to promote and monitor the effective implementation of the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa.
2. Renew the following organisations as Members of the Group for the same period who are duly accredited to the Commission:
i. International Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL);
ii. West African Human Rights Defenders Network (ROADDH/WAHRDN);
iii. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR);
iv. Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA);
v. East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net);
vi. African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS);
vii. Defenders Network for Central Africa (REDHAC);
viii. Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA);
ix. Network of National Human Rights Institutions (RINADH);
x. Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
xi. North African Human Rights Defenders Network (CIDH); and
xii. Network of Human Rights Defenders in the Portuguese-speaking world.
3. Appoint, for the same period, the Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) as member.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, on 6 November 2024
