FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over 400 Registered Participants Expected in Dakar for NGOs Forum Ahead of 89th Ordinary Session of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Dakar, Senegal | 8–10 October 2026

More than 400 registered participants from across Africa and beyond are expected to gather in Dakar, Senegal, from 8–10 October 2026 for the Forum of NGOs Participating in the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS).

The three-day Forum will take place at the Pullman Dakar Teranga Hotel and will bring together civil society organisations, human rights defenders, activists, lawyers, researchers, academics, women and youth organisations, community-based organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on pressing human rights, democracy, governance and development challenges facing the African continent.

The Forum is being held ahead of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and will provide an important platform for civil society organisations to assess the human rights situation across the continent, exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships and develop collective recommendations for engagement with the African human rights system.

This year’s Forum will place particular attention on the African Union’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.” The theme highlights the critical relationship between access to water and sanitation and the realisation of human rights, public health, gender equality, environmental sustainability, climate resilience and inclusive development.

Participants will examine how water insecurity and inadequate sanitation affect communities across Africa, particularly vulnerable and marginalised populations. Discussions will also explore the human rights dimensions of water governance, climate change, environmental protection, public health, poverty and inequality, as well as the responsibilities of governments and other stakeholders in ensuring equitable and sustainable access to water and sanitation.

The Forum will also provide space for civil society organisations to share country and regional experiences, identify emerging human rights concerns and develop practical recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability and advancing human and peoples’ rights across the continent.

The outcomes and recommendations emerging from the Forum will contribute to civil society engagement with the African Commission during its 89th Ordinary Session and will amplify the concerns, experiences and priorities of communities, human rights defenders and civil society organisations before the continental human rights mechanism.

The large expected participation reflects the interest of civil society in engaging with the African human rights system and the role of the NGOs Forum as a platform for dialogue, advocacy, networking and collective action.

ACDHRS remains committed to creating spaces that enable meaningful participation and strengthen collaboration among African civil society organisations and other human rights stakeholders. The Centre looks forward to welcoming participants and partners to Dakar for three days of constructive dialogue, knowledge sharing and collective engagement in advancing human and peoples’ rights across Africa.

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) is a regional human rights organisation based in The Gambia. Established in 1989, the Centre works to promote and protect human rights, democracy and civic space in Africa and supports civil society engagement with regional and international human rights mechanisms.

For media enquiries and further information:
African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)
Banjul, The Gambia
Email: infocom@acdhrs.org
Website: www.acdhrs.org

ENDS