Are human rights still a priority for the AU Peace and Security Council?

The AU was founded on the protection of human rights, but is the Peace and Security Council promoting this agenda?

Date: 2026-04-23

Time: 14:30 to 16:30

Venue: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa and online via Zoom

Human rights abuses lie at the heart of Africa’s multiple crises, with dire consequences for the millions of people affected. The African Union (AU) has established the protection of human rights as a basis for continental stability, but what role does the Peace and Security Council (PSC) play in enforcing and promoting these provisions?

At a time when might seems to be replacing rights globally, this seminar will assess the normative positioning of human rights within the PSC framework and AU architecture. Speakers will evaluate collaboration among the PSC, AU Commission, Department for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and human rights bodies such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

This event is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the African Union.

Simultaneous French-English interpretation will be provided.

Moderator: Dr Paul-Simon Handy, Regional Director East Africa and Representative to the African Union, ISS 

Panelists:

• HE Wim Geerts, Netherlands Ambassador for Human Rights
• HE Willy Nyamitwe, Ambassador of Burundi to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU (TBC)
• Matheko Ursula Letsie, South African Deputy Permanent Representative to the AU
• Dr Solomon A Dersso, Founding Director, Amani Africa and Commissioner at the African Union ACHPR (TBC)