Convened in terms of Article 64 (2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, read together with Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the ACHPR, 2020
Banjul, 22 August 2025; The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the ACHPR) wishes to inform State Parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Organs of the African Union, National Human Rights Institutions, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations and the general public, that the 85th Ordinary Session, of the ACHPR (Private & Public) is scheduled to take place as follows from Tuesday, 7 – 17 October 2025 (Private-Virtual) and from 21 - 30 October 2025 (Public – Physical)
WHAT: The 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights
WHEN: 7 – 17 October 2025 (Private) and 21 – 30 October 2025 (Public – Physical)
(a) Private Session: 7 – 17 October 2025 (virtual & closed to the public)
(b) Public Session (In-person & Open to the public): 21 – 30 October 2025
Opening Ceremony: (In-person) Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 09:00 – 11: 30 Hours (GMT)
Closing Ceremony: (In-person) Thursday 30 October 2025 10:00 – 11:30 Hours (GMT)
Other Session Days:
Mondays to Thursdays: 09:00 – 17:30 Hours (GMT)
Fridays: 09:00 – 13:30 Hours
Sundays: 14:30 – 17:30 Hours
WHERE: Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Kololi, The Gambia (for the Public & Open Session)
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE:https://forms.office.com/r/3GNin1eRDJ Deadline: 21 September 2025
REGISTER TO MAKE A STATEMENT:
ITEM 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa. Deadline: 30 September 2025
Web link:https://forms.office.com/r/uabd8cZycK
ITEM 5: Activity Reports of Commissioners and Special Mechanisms (Interventions) Deadline: 30 September 2025
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/0qj2tZqujy
STATE PARTIES’ RIGHT TO REPLY:
ITEM 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa. Deadline: 30 September 2025
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/uKera5BE9F
Upload and e-mail Statement or Intervention to: achpr.session@africanunion.org and chikombai@africanunion.org.
Please note that only participants who have registered to make Statements and whose Statements have been received by the ACHPR’s Secretariat will be given slots to make Statements.
REGISTER TO MAKE INTERVENTION ON PANELS & LAUNCHES:
ITEM 6: PANELS AND LAUNCHES. Deadline: 30 September 2025
Web link:https://forms.office.com/r/cn37qw7Lms
PUBLIC SESSION DOCUMENTS:85th Ordinary Session - Public Session Documents
Media Press Conference: (Public Sessions)
• Opening Ceremony: 21 October 2025
• Closing Ceremony: 30 October 2025
Please note that the Opening & Closing Ceremonies and Media Briefings will take place at the Session venue.
WHO: The Commissioners and the Secretariat of the ACHPR, all States Parties, Organs of the African Union, National Human Rights Institutions, International Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other members of the general public are invited to attend.
Only the Public segment of this 85th Ordinary Session will be in-person; participants who wish to attend are required to register online within the deadline given. The Commission will focus on the following Session activities, among others:
i. Human Rights Situation in Africa;
ii. Consideration of State Party Reports;
iii. Discussion on Relationship and Cooperation between the ACHPR with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs);
iv. Consideration of Applications for Observer Status from NGOs;
v. Activity Reports of Commissioners;
vi. Panel Discussions;
vii. Consideration of Communications;
viii. Consideration of Concluding Observations;
ix. Consideration of Reports and other documents.
The Ordinary Session will be live streamed on: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgwJmiMTr59J0jYZJJtfzuw
NOTE FOR EDITORS:
The ACHPR is composed of eleven Commissioners, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity. The ACHPR meets 4 (four) times a year in Ordinary Sessions, and in Extra-Ordinary Sessions, when necessary.
1. For more comments:
Mrs. Abiola Idowu-Ojo, Executive Secretary to the Commission
Tel.: +220 747 1077; E-mail: achpr.stcincoming@africanunion.org
2. For documentation and materials, please contact:
Mr. Eyob Demissie, E-mail: EyobD@africanunion.org ; au-banjul@africanunion.Org
Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at https://achpr.au.int.
3. For media interested in participating please contact:
Ms. Samantha Kambule E-mail: kambuleS@africanunion.org
4. Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at https://achpr.au.int
