The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights held a panel on 24 May 2024 at its 79th Ordinary Session to discuss the draft Declaration on the Promotion of the Role of Human Rights Defenders and their Protection in Africa. This panel offered a chance for States, civil society organizations, and national human rights institutions to contribute to the ‘zero draft’. The draft, published in January 2024, emphasizes the importance of defenders being free from reprisals – a significant addition not covered in the 1998 UN Declaration.
Paul Mulindwa, Advocacy and Campaigns Officer, Africa Lead at CIVICUS, highlighted this sharp contribution.
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