In Banjul, The Gambia, from October 17 to November 6, 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) convened for its 81st Public Ordinary Session. This gathering brought together state delegations, international bodies, and NGOs, including the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. They aimed to foster discussions on the death penalty’s abolition, particularly emphasizing the situation in Africa. The World Coalition focused its advocacy efforts between October 19 and 24, foregoing participation in the NGO Forum to prioritize the main session.
During the 81st session, Burkina Faso and Angola were reviewed—both countries do not impose the death penalty. Meanwhile, the World Coalition submitted shadow reports for Mauritius and Ethiopia, which had been postponed. Advocacy was conducted through private meetings with key Commissioners, including those focused on women’s rights and detention conditions, to discuss the negative implications of the death penalty, especially for marginalized groups.
Sabrina Mahtani from Women Beyond Walls, representing the World Coalition, delivered an oral declaration highlighting the disproportionate impact of the death penalty on marginalized women in African member states. A declaration was also submitted regarding the Commissioner’s activity report, voicing concerns about the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) recent suspension of the death penalty moratorium. In a private session, Resolution N° 614 was passed, urging member states to support the UNGA resolution for a moratorium on the death penalty.
Commissioner Idrissa Sow shared a report reflecting on the number of executions and death sentences in the past year. With a grim statistic of 38 executions in Somalia and 170 death sentences in the DRC, he emphasized the static number of abolitionist countries while highlighting a growing respect for the right to life. His report revealed serious worries about the lifting of a decades-long moratorium on executions in the DRC earlier this year.
The session served as a platform for collaboration among Civil Society Organizations (CSO). Opportunities arose to network and discuss crucial issues tied to detention conditions and the death penalty’s compliance with rule-of-law principles. Although no side-events focused solely on the death penalty, attendance at relevant events allowed for discussions on broader systemic issues, reinforcing the call for abolition.
Looking ahead, the ACHPR’s next ordinary session is set for April or May 2025, during which ongoing issues, including Zimbabwe’s failure to abolish the death penalty and Zambia’s lack of ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, will continue to be examined.
The ACHPR’s 81st Ordinary Session in Banjul from October 17 to November 6, 2024, saw significant advocacy against the death penalty, particularly for marginalized women. The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty submitted shadow reports and engaged in important discussions with key Commissioners about the state of human rights in member countries. Notably, one resolution called for support of a UN moratorium on the death penalty, as concerns grew over the DRC’s lifted moratorium on executions.
The 81st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR marked an important milestone in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty in Africa. With key discussions, resolutions supporting moratoriums, and highlighting underrepresented voices, particularly marginalized women, the session underscored the evolving landscape of human rights in the region. Ongoing advocacy and collaboration among stakeholders remain crucial as the continent grapples with the complexities surrounding capital punishment.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) serves as a key institution promoting human rights across the African continent. The 81st Ordinary Session highlighted significant discussions on the abolition of the death penalty, showcasing efforts by various organizations, particularly the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. Their goal is to address the pressing issues surrounding capital punishment and advocate for reforms enhancing human rights protections, especially for vulnerable populations in Africa.
Original Source: worldcoalition.org
