Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Dr. Joseph Whittal, Chairperson of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), has emphasized that reparations in Africa must go beyond financial compensation to encompass truth, accountability, and structural transformation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, Dr. Whittal said the continent’s growing call for reparatory justice represents a united demand for dignity and systemic change.
“Across Africa, the call for reparatory justice has evolved into a united demand for truth, accountability, and structural transformation. Reparations extend beyond financial compensation; they represent a holistic process of restoring dignity, addressing deep-rooted inequalities, and acknowledging the enduring impact of slavery, colonialism, apartheid, and racial discrimination,” he told participants.
The 85th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, held from 21 to 30 October 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, brings together key stakeholders from across the continent and beyond to foster dialogue and strategic action on critical human rights challenges in Africa.
Dr. Whittal noted that the Seventh African Union Commission (AUC)–NANHRI Policy Dialogue reaffirmed the crucial role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in driving the reparations agenda by documenting injustices, advocating for strong legal frameworks, and facilitating inclusive national dialogues that center affected communities.
He, however, expressed concern over the “alarming contraction of civic space” in several African states, citing restrictive laws on association and assembly, harassment of journalists, and growing constraints on human rights defenders and opposition voices.
“The suppression of civil liberties continues to erode public trust in governance systems and weaken social cohesion,” he said.
Dr. Whittal also highlighted that protracted armed conflicts and rising insecurity from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa and parts of Central Africa have displaced millions and strained states’ ability to protect basic rights.
The absence of effective conflict-resolution mechanisms and the proliferation of armed groups, he said, have blurred the lines between protection and repression, leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable.
He further pointed to deepening socio-economic challenges, including persistent poverty, youth unemployment, corruption, and limited access to education and health services, as factors widening inequality and social exclusion.
“The climate crisis compounds these vulnerabilities, with extreme weather patterns, droughts, and floods displacing communities and deepening food insecurity across the continent,” he added.
Dr. Whittal underscored the need for stronger accountability and the rule of law, urging African governments to anchor development and security policies within a human rights–based framework that safeguards civic freedoms and ensures inclusive participation.
“The 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights offers an important and timely platform for collective reflection and strategic engagement on the pressing human rights issues confronting the continent,” he said.
He reaffirmed NANHRI’s unwavering partnership with the African Commission, commending its continued leadership in promoting accountability, equality, and justice across Africa.
“We commend the African Commission for its leadership in fostering dialogue, building consensus, and steering collective action on the continent’s most pressing human rights challenges,” Dr. Whittal concluded.
