The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission), at its 65th Ordinary Session held from 21 October to 10 November 2019, in Banjul, The Gambia, adopted Resolution ACHPR/Res.432(LXV) 2019 on the Elaboration of an African Declaration on the Promotion of the Role of Human Rights Defenders and their Protection in Africa.
The Resolution falls within the framework of Article 45 (1) (b) of the African Charter which empowers the Commission to "Formulate and elaborate, with a view to serving as a basis for the adoption of legislative texts by African governments, principles and rules which make it possible to resolve legal problems relating to the enjoyment of human and peoples' rights and fundamental freedoms".
The ultimate objective of this Regional Declaration is to appropriate at continental level the Conventions and other standards and guidelines adopted at global level, especially the 1998 United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and to address the causes and aspects specific to the African context in order to find appropriate solutions to restore a civic space conducive to the promotion and effective protection of human rights. This is the same logic that our continent has followed in the context of international conventions on human rights, which have been duplicated or adapted to the realities of our continent.
The Commission entrusted the drafting of this declaration to the mechanism of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa (Special Rapporteur).
The Resolution also recommended the adoption of an inclusive approach by all stakeholders in the drafting of this Declaration, while inviting State and non-State actors to lend their support to the realisation of this project.
In this respect, the Special Rapporteur has, in accordance with this resolution, prepared a draft Declaration which was presented at different occasions, with a view to initiating discussions with all stakeholders and gathering opinions on improving its content.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
In line with ACHPR’s consultative approach, the draft Declaration is being published for stakeholder’s review. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide focused inputs, including:
- comments on specific sections;
- recommendations to improve the draft; and
- actionable proposals to enhance the promotion of the role of Human and Peoples’ Rights Defenders and their protection at the national and regional level .
Link to the Draft Declaration
HOW AND WHERE TO SUBMIT INPUTS
1. Deadline: 14 May 2026
2. Email submissions to:au-banjul@africanunion.org, copying BagonaA@africanunion.org and MadjoulbaN@AfricanUnion.org
3. Format and language: Written submissions in English, French, or Portuguese, with clear referencing to specific sections of the Declaration, where applicable.
4. Page limit: Concise, actionable recommendations preferred (max. 5 pages).
