The enforcement of restrictive measures and other directives to curb COVID-19 transmission has dramatically reshaped how human rights defenders operate. Beyond their everyday challenges, pandemic management by several African governments has further squeezed already limited civic and democratic spaces in the region. During such periods, ensuring human rights defenders retain access to their vital work and advocacy is non-negotiable.

This study examines how COVID-19 restrictions impacted the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone. It highlights the innovative strategies civil society organizations deployed to continue their advocacy despite coercive measures, as well as positive contributions from governments and other stakeholders that enabled their efforts. Additionally, the publication offers tailored recommendations to enhance the protection of human rights defenders and preserve civic space in times of crisis.

The findings serve as a powerful advocacy tool for national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms, aiming to curb the misuse of coercive measures during crises and ensure the continuous protection of human rights defenders at all times.