Outcomes Of The African Commission On Human and Peoples’ Rights 83rd Ordinary Session

On 22nd May 2025, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights concluded its 83rd ordinary session, which saw the State periodic reviews of Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, panels on the repression of human rights defenders, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and reparations for Africans and people of African descent, as well as the launch of ISHR’s report on the situation of defenders in African island States and a new e-learning module on the African Commission.

The 83rd ordinary session was held in person in Banjul (The Gambia) and ran from 2 May to 22 May 2025, with the public session in particular – open to State representatives, national human rights institutions, and civil society – running from 2 May to 12 May. This session’s theme was ‘Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations’, in line with the theme of the year of the African Union. 

A total of 570 participants attended the session, including: 142 representatives from 28 States, 15 African Union representatives, 9 representatives from international organisations, 22 representatives from national human rights institutions , 218 representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), 30 members of the press, and 54 staff members of the African Commission. 

On the human rights situation in Africa, 40 NGOs with observer status made statements during the session on human rights issues. es, and calling for the release of the first report on reprisals. The session also saw the review of the State reports of Ethiopia and of Zimbabwe, during which, in the case of Ethiopia in particular, the African Commission’s questions drew attention to the situation of human rights defenders. 

From 13 May to 21 May, the Commissioners entered the private session, during which some resolutions were adopted.

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