By Gontse Sekhantso
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is in South Africa for a five-day Promotion Mission from 28 September to 2 October 2026 to assess human rights challenges and engage government, civil society and other stakeholders.
The mission comes amid renewed concern over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, although the ACHPR has not identified xenophobia or migration as the sole or central focus of the visit.
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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has this year raised concerns about violent attacks, intimidation and other alleged rights violations affecting non-nationals.
The ACHPR said the Promotion Mission forms part of its mandate under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to promote human rights through country visits, research and constructive dialogue with State Parties.
The delegation is led by Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, the Commissioner Rapporteur for South Africa.
It also includes Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information; Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana, whose mandate includes indigenous populations and minorities; and Commissioner Salma Sassi-Safer, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants.
According to government, the mission provides an opportunity for South Africa to deepen its engagement with African human rights institutions and present information on the constitutional, legislative, policy and institutional measures it has adopted to promote and protect human rights.
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“Government will provide verified information on the constitutional, legislative, policy and institutional measures adopted to promote and protect human rights. Relevant departments will provide mandate-specific information in accordance with South Africa’s constitutional and legal framework,” government said.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the programme includes engagements with civil society organisations, government representatives, Parliament, institutions supporting constitutional democracy, academia, United Nations agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The government has committed to participating in the mission through openness, cooperation and constructive dialogue, with departments expected to provide verified information within their respective mandates.
DIRCO said government would maintain a distinction between its own communication and any statements, preliminary observations or conclusions issued by the Commission.
It added that government would not anticipate the outcome of the mission and would consider any official observations or recommendations through the appropriate processes.
The ACHPR said preliminary findings would be discussed with government at the end of the mission.
The Commission is also expected to hold a press conference to brief the media and public on its preliminary observations.
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The mission concludes on 2 October, after which attention will turn to the Commission’s findings and any recommendations arising from its engagements with government, civil society and other stakeholders.
