The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted, during its 55th session, a resolution aimed at providing protections against “[…]violence and other human rights violations targeting persons on the basis of their imputed or real sexual orientation or gender identity.” Throughout Africa, the number of draft bills and draft regulation to criminalise homosexuality is on the rise and acts of violence against members of the LGBTI community are frequently exacerbated by declarations made by authorities or the media. In a context where freedom of association for the NGOs which defend LGBTI rights is being limited significantly, the ACHPR resolution is crucial.
FIDH has actively supported the adoption of this resolution and has been working for many years with civil society organisations that defend the rights of members of the LGBTI community to make their voices heard within the ACHPR and to convince the Commission of the importance of taking a public stance on the rights of the LGBTI community.