This African Commission paper defends its grant of observer status to the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) against an AU Executive Council decision requesting withdrawal based on "African values." It argues that while the African Charter is rooted in communitarian traditions, its non-discrimination provisions (Articles 2 and 3) include sexual orientation, and the Commission has autonomous interpretive authority under Article 45(3)—concluding CAL's status should be upheld to protect the Commission's independence from political interference.

This African Commission study examines the right to nationality in Africa, tracing colonial origins of nationality laws and identifying protection gaps across the continent—including inadequate safeguards against childhood statelessness, gender and ethnic discrimination, weak procedural rules, and statelessness risks from state succession (e.g., Eritrea/Ethiopia, Sudan/South Sudan, Bakassi). It recommends adopting a Protocol to the African Charter on the right to nationality, with principles ensuring non-discrimination, birth registration, due process, dual citizenship, and protection against arbitrary deprivation.

This African Commission study on transitional justice (TJ) in Africa, mandated by Resolution 235 (2013), reviews continental experiences with prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations, institutional reforms, and indigenous justice. Analyzing the African Charter, Maputo Protocol, and other AU instruments, it argues for a comprehensive approach addressing civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and peoples' rights. Finding the ACHPR's engagement with TJ ad hoc, it recommends establishing a dedicated special mechanism to systematically guide TJ processes in line with the African Charter.

This African Commission study outlines six core principles for law enforcement use of force—legality, precaution, non-discrimination, necessity, proportionality, and accountability—and surveys domestic laws across Africa, finding recurring issues such as vague legal standards, overly permissive firearm rules, broad immunities, and weak oversight. It recommends legal reforms, independent accountability mechanisms, better training, and alignment with international human rights standards.

This study by the African Commission examines how climate change harms human rights in Africa despite the continent's low emissions. It documents threats to life, food, water, health, housing, and other rights, with vulnerable groups (women, children, Indigenous Peoples, displaced persons, etc.) hit hardest. Climate response measures can also backfire if poorly designed. The study clarifies states' obligations to respect, protect, promote, and fulfill rights, and offers recommendations for governments, businesses, and the African Commission to pursue urgent, rights-based climate action.

This study by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights documents serious human rights violations against migrants transiting through Niger, including death, torture, detention, discrimination, and sexual violence. While Niger has laws and institutions to protect migrants, gaps remain—such as weak enforcement, lack of training for security forces, and poor access to justice. The study offers recommendations for Niger and other stakeholders to adopt a human rights-based approach to migration management.

The document provides indicative questions for State Parties under Article 5 of the African Charter (prohibiting torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment), covering prohibition measures, prevention (training, complaints, detention oversight), victim reparations (rehabilitation, compensation), and issues like corporal punishment, vulnerable groups (LGBTI, persons with albinism, disabilities), and contemporary slavery.

This study by the African Commission finds that stigma, discrimination, coercive testing, overly broad HIV criminalization, and punitive laws against key populations (sex workers, gay men, people who use drugs, prisoners) undermine HIV responses in Africa. Women, girls, children, and other vulnerable groups face heightened barriers. The report highlights good practices like anti-discrimination laws and progressive court rulings, and calls on States to adopt rights-based approaches, decriminalize key populations, ensure treatment access, and protect human rights.