African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Gears Up for Its 85th Ordinary Session in Banjul
Human Rights Reporters
3 min read
As the sun rises over the bustling streets of Accra and across the continent, a beacon of hope for justice, dignity, and equality is set to illuminate Banjul, The Gambia.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is preparing to convene its 85th Ordinary Session, a pivotal gathering that promises to amplify the voices of the marginalized and hold power to account.
Scheduled from October 21 to 30, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Kololi, this public session arrives at a critical juncture for Africa, where conflicts rage, freedoms erode, and calls for accountability grow louder.
Imagine a continent where the echoes of colonial legacies still linger in unequal laws, where youth demand digital rights amid rising surveillance, and where women and girls fight for bodily autonomy in the face of regressive policies.
The ACHPR, born from the 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, has long been the guardian of these aspirations. Established in 1987 and headquartered in Banjul – a city that has hosted countless such deliberations – the Commission serves as Africa’s moral compass, monitoring state compliance, investigating abuses, and fostering dialogue on everything from economic justice to environmental rights.
This 85th session, the latest in a series of biannual meetings, builds on the momentum of recent gatherings. Just months ago, the 84th Private Ordinary Session (held virtually from July 21 to 30, 2025) laid foundational groundwork, deferring key resolutions – including one on the African Union’s 2025 theme – to this upcoming forum.
The public phase of the 85th session, open to the world, will feature an opening ceremony on October 21, daily deliberations through October 29 (with adjusted timings for Fridays and Sundays), and a closing ceremony on October 30, complete with media briefings to ensure transparency.
What makes this session particularly timely? Africa stands at a crossroads. From the Sahel’s instability to Southern Africa’s resource disputes, human rights violations persist – think arbitrary detentions in Ethiopia, crackdowns on protesters in Kenya, or the plight of displaced persons in Sudan.
The ACHPR’s agenda, though provisional details are still emerging, is expected to tackle these head-on: reviewing state reports on Charter implementation, examining communications (individual complaints of violations), adopting resolutions on pressing issues like climate justice and gender-based violence, and advancing the Commission’s strategic plan for 2026–2028.
Preceding the main event, a 2nd Edition Pre-Session Forum for States Parties on October 19–20 will foster dialogue between governments and the Commission, aiming to deepen understanding of human rights challenges and prepare for robust public discussions.
This forum underscores a core ACHPR ethos: collaboration over confrontation, turning adversaries into allies in the fight for people’s rights.
For civil society, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Organizations like Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) see the ACHPR as a vital platform to spotlight grassroots struggles.
“In Ghana, we’ve witnessed how Commission resolutions have influenced anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation debates and electoral reforms,” notes a local activist.
Globally, the session invites National Human Rights Institutions, NGOs, international bodies, and the public to engage – but time is ticking.
Registration for in-person attendance closes on September 21, 2025, via an online form, urging swift action for those wishing to witness history in Banjul.
As we approach this milestone, the 85th Ordinary Session isn’t just a meeting; it’s a clarion call. It reminds us that human rights aren’t abstract ideals but lived realities – the right to speak without fear, to love without persecution, to thrive without exploitation.
By shining a light on these proceedings, we at Human Rights Reporters Ghana urge African citizens, leaders, and allies worldwide: tune in, participate, and hold the line.
Follow live updates from Banjul, and let’s turn awareness into action.
For more details, visit the official ACHPR website at achpr.au.int or register at forms.office.com/r/3GNin1eRDJ.
Stay connected with Human Rights Reporters Ghana for on-the-ground coverage as October unfolds.
Human Rights Reporters Ghana is a non-profit dedicated to amplifying human rights stories across West Africa. This article is part of our ongoing series on continental advocacy.
About The Author
