Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – Human Rights Watch (HRW) will be participating in the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), slated for May 2 to 22, 2025, in Banjul, The Gambia. The global rights watchdog plans to engage the Commission and other regional and international stakeholders on some of Africa’s most urgent human rights concerns.

Held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, the session provides a critical platform for monitoring African states’ compliance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and shaping the continent’s human rights agenda.

HRW’s engagement is expected to bring international attention to a number of unresolved and escalating issues.

One of the key highlights of HRW’s participation will be a high-level panel on May 7 that will address the growing incidence of extrajudicial killings carried out in the context of counterterrorism operations. The panel will underscore the need to uphold human rights standards even in the fight against violent extremism.

In addition to its participation in the panel, HRW will raise concerns on several critical issues with members of the Commission:

Zimbabwe’s Human Rights Record

In collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association, HRW has submitted a detailed report outlining ongoing violations in Zimbabwe. The report points to shrinking civic space, political repression, and a lack of accountability for abuses, calling for urgent remedial action.

Chagos Islands Displacement and Justice

As negotiations near conclusion on a treaty between the United Kingdom and Mauritius concerning the Chagos Islands, HRW is pressing for the recognition of the Chagossians as Indigenous people. The organization is advocating for reparations, justice for historical injustices, and the community’s right to return to the islands from which they were forcibly removed over 50 years ago to make way for a US military base.

Escalating Crises in Sudan and Eastern DRC

HRW is also raising alarms about the intensifying conflicts in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses continue to mount. The group is calling for a stronger regional response to protect civilians and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

The ACHPR holds two ordinary sessions annually, serving as a vital forum for African and international actors to reflect on progress, highlight ongoing challenges, and renew commitments to human rights across the continent.