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Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
83rd Ordinary Session 02 to 22 May 2025 Banjul, The Gambia
Intersession Report
Presented by
Honourable Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.
An Organ of the African Union
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region
Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04
Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org
https://achpr.au.int
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Activities involving the Special Mechanism
- Protection activities
- Promotion activities
III. Assessment of the human rights supervised by the mechanism in Africa
- Access to Information
- Freedom of expression – The Safety of Journalists
- Freedom of Expression and Access to Information on the Internet
IV. Conclusions and Recommendations
I. INTRODUCTION
- Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter) provides that: "(1) every individual shall have the right to receive information;" and "(2) every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law."
- The special mechanism on freedom of expression and access to information in Africa was established by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) to monitor adherence to freedom of expression standards and to propose appropriate recommendations to the Commission and States Parties. It was subsequently expanded to include the right to access information.¹
- This report is presented in accordance with Rules 25(3) and 64 of the Commission's Rules of Procedure (2020) and covers activities undertaken by the special mechanism on freedom of expression and access to information in Africa, during the intersession period between November 2024 to May 2025.
II. Activities involving the Special Mechanism
Protection activities (Press release and urgent appeals)
- In line with special mechanism's mandate to "make public interventions where violations of the right to freedom of expression and access to information have been brought to the mechanism's attention, including by issuing public statements, press releases, and sending appeals to Member States asking for clarifications," the following interventions were issued:
• Joint Letter of Urgent Appeal to Benin
- On 27 January 2025, a Joint Letter of Urgent Appeal was issued, in collaboration with the Commissioner Rapporteur for human rights situation in the Republic of Benin, in response to reports on the suspension of various media outlets by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC). These suspensions were accompanied by the revocation of press credentials for the publisher of L'Audace Infos, Mr Romuald Alingo.
- The Letter requested clarification regarding the suspension of the media outlets and called on the Government of Benin to reaffirm the indispensable role of the media as the fourth estate by taking all necessary measures to provide journalists and other