The Confederation of Trade Unions of Productive Forces raises the voice of African refugees at the 83rd session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Banjul, Gambia | May 5, 2025

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Productive Forces, represented by its President, Mr. Malal Raouf, participated in the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, held in the Gambian capital, Banjul, at the invitation and facilitation of the African Organization African DefendersIn a move that confirms the union's commitment to field and international advocacy on behalf of human rights issues on the African continent.

This participation falls within the context of the Confederation's engagement with the escalating violations against African refugees in Algeria. During its participation in the Human Rights Organizations Forum held concurrently with the session, it submitted a draft resolution condemning the forced mass expulsion of tens of thousands of refugees from sub-Saharan African countries to the Nigerien border, and the accompanying campaigns of incitement and hate speech, under the pretext of combating irregular migration.

This draft resolution was well received by the forum participants, and was formally adopted and referred to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights for consideration and appropriate action.

As part of the ongoing efforts to defend the rights of refugees, the President of the Confederation met with Ms. Salma Al-Sassi - TravelThe Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa presented the case's details and the legal measures initiated by the Confederation at the regional and international levels. Official intervention was also requested from the Rapporteur with the Algerian authorities to halt these practices and ensure compliance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, which criminalizes collective expulsion and protects the dignity of migrants.

In a related context, the Confederation expressed its regret over the absence of the Algerian National Human Rights Council from the proceedings of this African session, considering it a negative indicator of the decline of the national role in engaging with the continental human rights agenda. It called on the Council to demonstrate seriousness and responsibility in representing human rights issues domestically and internationally.

At the conclusion of its participation, the Confederation affirmed that this initiative falls within the framework of its trade union, human rights, and humanitarian role, emphasizing that "the ball is now in the court of the African Commission," which is expected to adopt the resolution in line with the spirit and principles of the African Charter and fulfill its role in protecting refugee rights and combating all forms of discrimination and collective expulsion.