29 November 2025 :
November 27, 2025 - AFRICA. 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
At the 85th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR (October 2025), no record shows that the question of Tundu Lissu in Tanzania was raised. The session concentrated on regional conflicts and systemic human rights issues
The public session of the ACHPR’s 85th Ordinary Session (African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights) was held in Banjul, The Gambia from 21 to 30 October 2025.
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (World Coalition) attended with many member organizations: CODHAS-RDC, Crime Si Poa– Kenya, ECPM, the FIACAT, FIDH, Kenya Human Rights Commission, LHRC (Legal and Human Rights Centre), the Nigerien Coalition Against the Death Penalty, the National Tunisian Coalition Against the Death Penalty, among others.
Country-Specific Advocacy Opportunities
Ahead of the 85th Ordinary Session, Botswana, Egypt and Tunisia all submitted their periodic State reports to the ACHPR for consideration. Concluding observations and recommendations should be issued by the ACHPR in the coming sessions. All three countries maintain the death penalty in their penal code although only Egypt carried out executions in 2024, according to Amnesty International.
Even though Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were not studied during this session, bilateral advocacy was led by World Coalition members present during the session.
The Nigerien Coalition Against the Death Penalty raised concerns with Commissioner Salma Sassi. During this meeting, the Nigerien coalition explained the severe rise of terrorism in the Sahel, despite the authorities ongoing efforts. This growing threat reduces the prospects for abolition, especially since Niger has not executed anyone since 1976, remains under a moratorium, and is considered de facto abolitionist. Nevertheless, Niger has developed a new draft Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure providing for the commutation of any death sentence to life imprisonment of up to 30 years, without the possibility of appeal. If adopted, these two codes would contribute to abolishing the death penalty de facto.
CODHAS (Centre d’Observation des Droits de l’Homme et d’Assistance Sociale) held numerous bilateral discussions on not only the situation of the death penalty in the DRC but on the broader human rights situation. During his meeting with the Congolese Minister of Human Rights, Samuel Mbemba, CODHAS informed him of the purpose of its mission in Banjul, namely its participation in the 85th Session of the ACHPR and its advocacy efforts regarding the situation of human rights defenders in the DRC – particularly those in the eastern part of the country, living in areas under the control of the M23 rebellion. CODHAS also explained to the Minister the process related to the draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. For his part, the Minister reassured them of his full availability to collaborate with civil society organizations on human rights issues.
During the side events, we discussed the situation of human rights in the DRC as well as in the Sahel countries. Meetings were also held with members of international and regional organizations to maintain networking and strengthen the effectiveness of advocacy efforts.
Death Penalty Advocacy
Abolitionist civil society drafted a draft resolution on question of security and the death penalty, the theme of World Day Against the Death Penalty 2024 and 2025. Increasingly, abolitionist in law or de facto countries on the continent are considering a return to capital punishment in part to address “security” concerns within their borders. Such is the case in Burkina Faso, Chad, the DRC and Tunisia. The draft resolution laid out the context clearly: while security is generally understood as the absence of danger, its interpretation varies and is often exploited politically to influence public opinion and justify security policies. In criminal justice, security-related offenses are often poorly defined, which can lead to serious human rights violations in the name of protecting the State. Ultimately, the death penalty protects no one. It undermines human dignity, reinforces social and economic inequalities, and disproportionately affects the most marginalized groups. To build lasting security, States must address the real needs of people, tackle the root causes of crime and violence, and adopt a human security approach. The draft resolution was adopted by the NGOs Forum, organized by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies and was submitted to the ACHPR for their consideration.
Additionally, the Nigerien Coalition Against the Death Penalty delivered an oral statement during the session on the state of the death penalty on the African continent.
A New Bureau
Lastly, following the calendar of internal elections at the ACHPR, a new Bureau was elected formed of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Commissioner Idrissa Sow was elected Chairperson of the ACHPR; he will also continue in his numerous duties to the ACHPR including acting Chairperson of the Working Group on Death Penalty, Extra-Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa. Commissioner Hatem Essaiem was elected Vice-Chairperson, in addition to his numerous roles including presiding the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa.
