The final day of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights closed on Sunday, 19th October 2025, with renewed energy and resolve as civil society actors, traditional leaders, and human rights advocates called for stronger protection, accountability, and justice across the continent.
Held under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” the discussions reflected a shared determination to turn commitments into tangible change. The morning sessions highlighted Africa’s ongoing struggle against gender-based violence and the urgent need to popularize and implement the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG). Speakers noted that while Africa has made commendable progress through instruments like the Maputo Protocol, persistent cultural barriers, weak enforcement, and insufficient political will continue to hinder women’s rights. Participants called for survivor-centered approaches, stronger national legislation, and community engagement to address the roots of gender violence.
Conversations then shifted toward technology’s growing influence on human rights and governance. Experts underscored the potential of artificial intelligence to transform governance and service delivery but cautioned that unregulated use could deepen surveillance, misinformation, and digital inequality. They urged African governments to establish clear ethical frameworks, invest in data protection, and prioritize homegrown innovation that reflects African values and realities.
The day’s deliberations also focused on the precarious situation of human rights defenders across Africa. Participants voiced concern over the tightening of civic space, harassment of activists, and misuse of national security laws to silence dissent. Speakers reaffirmed that protecting defenders is a legal duty, not a favor, and called on states to repeal restrictive legislation, investigate violations, and ensure safe environments for advocacy. The launch of the Senegal Human Rights Defenders Report reinforced the call for solidarity, accountability, and collective protection mechanisms across the continent.
Before the Forum drew to a close, participants adopted a series of resolutions addressing pressing human rights issues, from environmental justice and economic inequality to civic space and democratic governance. The resolutions serve as a guiding framework for engagement with the African Commission and other regional bodies, reflecting the collective resolve of African civil society to uphold dignity, freedom, and justice.
The closing session was marked by gratitude and renewed commitment. Speakers from traditional institutions, civil society, and partner organizations commended the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) for its leadership in creating a platform for open dialogue. Representatives of the African Commission praised the Forum as a cornerstone of the continent’s human rights architecture and urged participants to sustain the momentum as the 85th Ordinary Session of the Commission begins.
With a strong sense of unity and purpose, the Forum concluded, leaving participants inspired to continue the struggle for a more just, inclusive, and humane Africa where every voice counts and every right is protected.
