BANJUL — A human rights advocacy organization has raised alarm over what it describes as a worsening environment for human rights defenders across the African continent, citing increasing restrictions on civic space, intimidation of journalists, and the growing use of restrictive legislation to silence dissent.
The concerns were raised during an oral intervention delivered by DefendDefenders following the presentation of the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Reprisals in Africa, Hon. Remmy Ngoy Lumbu, under Item 6 of the agenda at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The DefendDefenders Advocacy, Research and Communications Manager, Kaka Estella, described the current trends as “growing and systematic pressure” on civil society actors across several countries.
She noted that journalists, activists, and human rights defenders continue to face harassment, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and legal persecution in multiple contexts. According to her, these developments are contributing to an increasingly constrained civic space, where freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are under serious strain.
The intervention further highlighted what the organization termed the “expanding use of restrictive laws” targeting dissenting voices, warning that such measures risk undermining democratic governance, transparency, and accountability mechanisms across the continent.
DefendDefenders called on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to take stronger, more coordinated, and urgent action to address ongoing violations against human rights defenders. It urged enhanced accountability for perpetrators of abuses, as well as stronger regional protection mechanisms to safeguard fundamental freedoms.
It also emphasized the need for member states to align national laws and practices with regional and international human rights standards, stressing that the protection of civic space is essential for peace, stability, and sustainable democratic governance in Africa.
