Human rights violations have become recurrent issues in the sub-region in recent times, with many activists and human rights defenders facing threats to their lives or unlawful detentions. In some countries, the rights to free expression, protests, and media freedoms have been stifled.
Despite some gains achieved in reversing the tides, human rights defenders face considerable challenges amid incessant intimidation and repression of civic actors and rights defenders across West Africa. There have been reports of such rights violations in Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and the transition countries.
To mark International Democracy Day, on September 17, the Network brought together activists, CSOs, pro-democracy actors, and institutions for an all-important conversation on the deteriorating environment for HRDs and empowering the next generation of activists. The Network also launched its report on the state of human rights defenders in the sub-region to inform policy decisions, interventions, and activism. The Gender Center for Empowering Development (GenCED) prepared the report, titled “The Situation of Human Rights Defenders in West Africa,” with funding from WADEMOS’ DEMOS Fund.
The report gives an insight into the work and challenges of human rights defenders within the prevailing context in West Africa and also explores the opportunities and makes actionable recommendations to improve human rights and the plight of human rights defenders across West Africa.
The event, which was well attended, also had in attendance as panelists: Clement Voule, Former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly and a member of Pan African Defenders Network; Alphonsus B.M. Gbanie, Executive Director, HRD—Sierra Leone Chair, Anglophone West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network; Dr. Michael Akagbor, Researcher and Human Rights Expert; Aliou Barry, Executive Director, Statview International and a WADEMOS Steering Committee Co-chair; David Asante-Darko, Research Analyst, WADEMOS; Victor Lasana, Lawyer and Commissioner, Sierra Leone Human Rights Commission.
The report will be uploaded in the coming days.
