On 21 October 2025, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, convened a consultative side event during the 85th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia. Hosted in collaboration with the African Civil Society Engagement (ACSE), a coalition of dedicated African civil society organizations, the side event focused on advancing a general comment to strengthen the protection against discrimination and other human rights violations based on real or imputed sexual orientation and gender identity, building on the foundation laid by Resolution on Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity (Resolution 275) https://achpr.au.int/en/adopted-resolutions/275-resolution-protection-against-violence-and-other-human-rights-violations and Resolution on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Intersex Persons in Africa (Resolution 552).
The side event brought together activists, civil society leaders, and sexual and gender minority rights groups from across the continent, all united by a shared commitment to towards the protection of sexual and gedner minorities in Africa. Participants shared perspectives on the urgent need for a comprehensive normative framework, through a general comment that would clarify and expand the rights of sexual and gender minorities under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Participants also candidly addressed the challenges acomplexities of securing a general comment in a the often resistant regional landscape while acknowledging the need to start taking concrete steps twords its adoption.
Despite the adoption of Resolution 275 in 2014, which marked a milestone in recognising the rights of sexual and gender minorities, progress has stalled. In some countries, violations have worsened. In some states the Resolution remains largely unknown among both state and non-state actors, undermining its implementation.
The Centre thanks ACSE and all partners whose dedication made this event possible.
For further information on the General Comment, and to express and interest in being part of the process, please contact:
