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, 26 March 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 83rd Ordinary Session, of the ACHPR (Public & Private) is scheduled to take place from Friday, 02 May 2025 – 22 May 2025
WHAT: The 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights
WHERE: Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Kololi, The Gambia
WHEN: 2 May – 22 May 2025
- Public Session (In-person): 2 – 12 May 2025 (Open to external participants)
- Opening Ceremony: Friday, 2 May 2025, 09:00 – 11: 30 Hours (GMT)
- Other Session Days:
• Mondays to Thursdays: 09:00 – 17:30 Hours (GMT)
• Fridays: 09:00 – 13:00 Hours (except for Friday 2 May which would be a full working day from 09:00 – 17:30 Hours
• Sundays: 14:30 – 17:30 Hours
- Private Session: 13 – 21 May 2025 (ACHPR Commissioners & Secretariat only)
- Public Session: Closing Ceremony (In-person) 22 May 2025 10:00 – 11:30 Hours (GMT) (Open to external participants)
- REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE: https://forms.office.com/r/QJCLpFWSrNDeadline: 15 April 2025
- REGISTER TO MAKE A STATEMENT:
o ITEM 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa. Deadline: 15 April 2025
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/2HxAGT3Tts
o ITEM 5: Activity Reports of Commissioners and Special Mechanisms (Interventions) Deadline: 15 April 2025
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/tAfFzjE8ww
o STATE PARTIES’ RIGHT TO REPLY:
ITEM 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa. Deadline: 15 April 2025
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/3BSfCjb6QC
Upload and e-mail Statement or Intervention to: achpr.session@africa-union.org and chikombai@africa-union.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 INTERVENTIONS ON PANELS & LAUNCHES:
o ITEM 6: PANELS AND LAUNCHES. Deadline: 15 April 2025
Web link: https://forms.office.com/r/JqYCE16i49
PUBLIC SESSION DOCUMENTS:https://bit.ly/4hLEBpc
MEDIA PRESS CONFERENCE: (Public Sessions)
• Opening Ceremony: 2 May 2025
• Closing Ceremony: 22 May 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.
This 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:
i. Human Rights Situation in Africa;
ii. Joint Special Mechanisms Forum of the ACHPR
iii. Consideration of State Party Reports;
iv. Discussion on Relationship and Cooperation between the ACHPR with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs);
v. Consideration of Applications for Observer Status from NGOs;
vi. Activity Reports of Commissioners;
vii. Panel Discussions;
viii. Consideration of Communications;
ix. Consideration of Concluding Observations;
x. 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 on the ACHPR & the Session:
Mrs. Abiola Idowu-Ojo, Executive Secretary to the ACHPR
Tel.: +220 747 1077; E-mail: achpr.stcincoming@Africa-Union.org; Cc: Ms. Samantha Kambule E-mail: kambuleS@africa-union.org
2. For documentation and materials, please contact:
Mr. Eyob Demissie Email: EyobD@africa-union.org; Cc: SonkoC@africa-union.org & au-banjul@africa-Union.org; Tel. +220 226 3479:
3. For media interested in participating, please contact:
Ms. Samantha Kambule E-mail: kambuleS@africa-union.org
4. Further information on the ACHPR can be obtained from the ACHPR’s website at https://achpr.au.int/en
